🎯 IDF Continues Operations Against Hezbollah: In response to Hezbollah ceasefire violations, including continued attacks on IDF soldiers in the Security Zone, the IDF struck three Hezbollah command centers in the Nabatieh and Mayfadoun areas. Earlier, troops destroyed a launcher used to direct attacks on Israeli forces. An overnight airstrike also destroyed a residential building in Nabatieh, with local media footage showing extensive damage.
📍 Israel Says Withdrawal Depends on Hezbollah's Disarmament: Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon but will not withdraw from the security zones until Hezbollah is disarmed. He said the current policy is supported by the United States and incorporated into last week's Israel-Lebanon framework agreement, with no additional withdrawals planned beyond the two pilot Lebanese Army deployment areas.
🛡️ Security Presence Expected to Continue: Katz said he and U.S. Central Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper agreed that the IDF will remain in security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza. He expressed skepticism that the Lebanese Army would confront Hezbollah independently, describing Israel's continued deployment in southern Lebanon as a long-term security requirement. He also said the Lebanese Army declined Israel's request to clear Hezbollah operatives from the Ali Taher Ridge tunnel complex, where about 30 operatives are believed to remain.
🏚️ Assessment of the Lebanon Campaign: Katz said border villages used by Hezbollah "had to disappear" to protect northern Israel. According to his assessment, nearly all villages along the western and central sectors of the border were destroyed, compared with about 73% in the eastern sector. He also estimated that roughly 600,000 residents fled southern Lebanon and another 700,000 were displaced from Beirut's Dahiyeh district.
⚠️ Katz Describes U.S. Constraints on the Campaign: Katz said U.S. policy linking the Lebanon and Iran fronts limited Israel's operations in Beirut, leading Israel to adopt what he described as a "plan B" focused on expanded operations north of the Litani River and within the security zone. He added that additional Hezbollah tunnel networks remain to be destroyed, including the Beaufort Ridge complex, which he said is planned for demolition using approximately 500 tons of explosives.
🚀 Warning Regarding Iran: Katz said Israel is prepared to respond independently if Iran launches ballistic missiles in response to operations in Lebanon. He stated that the IDF remains on alert while Israel continues coordinating with the United States and does not intend to interfere with the U.S. administration's diplomatic approach toward Iran.
🇮🇱 Smotrich Outlines Broader Security Policy: Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Israel has not yet eliminated either Hamas or Hezbollah but now has international legitimacy to continue military operations against both. He also warned that Hamas could quickly expand its influence in Judea and Samaria and reiterated his support for significant population growth there as part of Israel's long-term security strategy.
🌍 Diplomatic Contacts Between Washington and Tehran Continue: Reports on U.S.-Iran diplomacy remained mixed. The Wall Street Journal reported that planned nuclear discussions in Switzerland were postponed, while a U.S. official told The New York Times that communication channels remain active. Axios reported that Washington and Tehran agreed to halt military strikes while holding talks in Doha focused on safeguarding commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. officials are also expected to discuss establishing a direct military hotline to reduce the risk of future incidents.
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