Katz reiterates: Disarming Hezbollah ‘through military, political means’ is ‘top objective’ in Lebanon

Defense Minister Israel Katz says Israel remains committed to disarming Hezbollah “through military and political means.”

“Israel’s policy in Lebanon has been and remains clear: the top objective is the disarmament of Hezbollah through military and political means, regardless of the Iran issue,” Katz says following an assessment with military officials.

Katz says the IDF is completing its ground offensive in southern Lebanon up to the line from which Hezbollah can launch anti-tank missiles at Israeli communities.

“Homes in villages near the border in Lebanon, which serve in every respect as Hezbollah outposts, will be demolished in accordance with the Rafah and Khan Younis model in Gaza, to remove the threat to Israeli communities,” he says.

Katz says the IDF will “maintain security control” in southern Lebanon, up to the Litani River, “and the return of 600,000 residents of southern Lebanon who evacuated northward… will not be allowed, until the security of northern residents is ensured.”

“The IDF will continue to target Hezbollah leaders and operatives throughout Lebanon, in addition to the 1,000 terrorists who have already been eliminated since the beginning of the current campaign,” vows Katz.

He also says the IDF will “act forcefully” against Hezbollah rocket fire on Israel.

“We promised security for the northern communities, and that is exactly what we will do,” Katz adds.