Defense minister defends continued closure of northern schools amid truce: ‘A cautionary step’

Defense Minister Israel Katz defends his move to not allow schools to reopen in northern border towns tomorrow, despite the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

“The decision of the defense establishment to not remove the restrictions and not return the Galilee and northern communities to normalcy tomorrow is a step of necessary caution and a clear message regarding Israel’s determination to enforce the agreement,” Katz says in a statement issued by his office.

“If Hezbollah’s attempts to violate the agreement continue and the Lebanese government does not fulfill its obligations, Israel is prepared to respond strongly. We will not give up and we will not compromise on the safety of the residents of the north,” Katz adds.

According to Army Radio, the chiefs of the IDF Northern Command and Home Front Command, both recommended to Katz to lift the restrictions in northern Israel.

Katz ruled against it, and the Home Front Command did not change the current guidelines, under which schools are closed in the Golan Heights and northern frontier communities.