Katz vows to use ‘full force’ in Lebanon to counter any threat to troops

By AFP 19 April 2026, 4:09 pm

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Troops operate in southern Lebanon, in a handout photo issued by the military on April 16, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)

Defense Minister Israel Katz says the IDF has been instructed to use “full force” in Lebanon — even during the ongoing ceasefire — should Israeli troops face any threat.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have instructed the IDF to act with full force, both on the ground and from the air, including during the ceasefire, in order to protect our soldiers in Lebanon from any threat,” Katz says at a event in the West Bank.

He says that the military has also been ordered “to remove the houses in the [frontline] villages near the border that served in every respect as Hezbollah terror outposts and threatened Israeli communities.”

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.