💥 IDF STRIKES HEZBOLLAH TARGETS IN SOUTHERN LEBANON: In response to Hezbollah's violations of the ceasefire agreement, including continued attacks on IDF soldiers in the Security Zone, the IDF struck three Hezbollah command centers in the Nabatieh and Mayfadoun areas of southern Lebanon yesterday.
Earlier in the day, IDF soldiers struck and dismantled a launcher that Hezbollah had continued using to direct attacks on Israeli forces.
An overnight airstrike destroyed a residential building in Nabatieh. Broadcast footage from Al Jadeed News showed extensive rubble and debris at the scene.
📍 KATZ: ISRAEL WILL NOT WITHDRAW UNTIL HEZBOLLAH IS DISARMED: Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel has "no territorial ambitions in Lebanon," but declared the IDF "will not withdraw a millimeter" until Hezbollah is disarmed.
He said no additional withdrawals are expected beyond the two pilot areas where the Lebanese Army is scheduled to deploy, adding that the policy is accepted by the U.S. and anchored in last week's Israel-Lebanon framework agreement.
Katz said he and U.S. Central Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper agreed the IDF will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza. He added that he does not believe the Lebanese Army will "suddenly become lions charging at Hezbollah," making Israel's presence in southern Lebanon a long-term requirement.
Katz said Israel asked the Lebanese Army to clear Hezbollah operatives from the Ali Taher Ridge tunnel complex, but it refused. The IDF remains in the area while about 30 Hezbollah operatives are believed to still be inside the tunnels.
💥 KATZ DETAILS CAMPAIGN: Katz said villages along the border "had to disappear" to protect Israel from Hezbollah, claiming nearly all villages along the line of contact in the western and central sectors were destroyed, compared with about 73% in the east. He also said roughly 600,000 residents fled southern border villages and another 700,000 were displaced from Beirut's Dahiyeh district.
⚠️ KATZ: U.S. PRESSURE CHANGED THE CAMPAIGN: Katz claimed Hezbollah would have collapsed had the U.S. not linked the Lebanon and Iran fronts, forcing Israel to halt wider strikes in Beirut.
"When President Trump linked Iran and Lebanon, we stopped bringing down buildings in Beirut. The linkage between the arenas is an American interest, and these are the constraints of the partnership with the United States."
Katz said the resulting "plan B" expanded IDF operations north of the Litani River and the security zone with U.S. approval. He added that more Hezbollah tunnels remain to be destroyed, including a Beaufort Ridge complex planned for demolition with "500 tons of explosives."
❗️ IRAN WARNING: Katz said Israel is prepared to respond independently if Iran launches ballistic missiles in retaliation for operations in Lebanon.
"It could happen even within two days."
"We have targets to strike in Iran, and the IDF is prepared and on alert, but we will not interfere with the US president's course of action vis-à-vis the Iranians."
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