Israel's Defense Minister Warns Hezbollah of Conquest Up to Litani River
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Defense Minister Israel Katz visited southern Lebanon and warned Hezbollah that if it joins Iran in an attack on Israel, it will lose territory up to the Litani River, which will become part of Israel's permanent security zone. Katz stated the IDF is prepared for such a maneuver, which would involve evacuating Lebanese civilians and targeting terrorist infrastructure. He also threatened Hezbollah leadership, referencing the fates of Nasrallah and Naim Qassem. The minister reiterated Israel's commitment to its security zones and not withdrawing from them.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Hezbollah of territorial loss and conquest up to the Litani River if it attacks Israel with Iran.
- Katz stated the IDF is prepared for a maneuver that would evacuate over a million Shiites and target terrorist infrastructure.
- The Defense Minister conducted an operational tour in southern Lebanon with senior military commanders.
- He reiterated that Israel will not withdraw from its security zones in Lebanon and Syria.
- Katz issued a personal warning to Hezbollah leaders Nasrallah and Naim Qassem.
- The minister's warnings align with his policy of keeping the Supreme Court out of IDF operational matters.
Defense Minister Israel Katz conducted an operational tour of southern Lebanon on Wednesday, accompanied by senior military commanders including the head of the Northern Command and the commander of Division 91. During the visit, Katz issued a stern warning to Hezbollah, stating that if the organization joins Iran in an attack on Israel, it will lose additional territory in southern Lebanon, which will become part of Israel's permanent security zone.
Katz toured the front line of villages and received a briefing on Operation "Silver Plow," aimed at destroying terrorist infrastructure in the area. He praised the soldiers for their determined actions against Hezbollah operatives and emphasized that Israel would not withdraw from its security zones. "I came here today to strengthen the IDF commanders and soldiers, active and reserve, who are operating with dedication and bravery within the security zones in Lebanon and Syria to protect the residents of the Galilee and the Golan Heights from the threats of jihadist forces," Katz stated. "As the Prime Minister and I have made clear: we will not withdraw from the security zones."
The Defense Minister's central warning focused on a scenario where Hezbollah joins Iran in attacking Israel. "If Hezbollah joins Iran in an attack on Israel, it will be dealt a severe blow and will lose additional territories in southern Lebanon, in the areas of Nabatieh and the Litani, which will become part of Israel's permanent security zone," Katz clarified. "The IDF is prepared to carry out the maneuver."
According to Katz, in such a scenario, the entire Shiite population up to the Awali and Zahrani rivers would be evacuated northward to enable a powerful strike against terrorist infrastructure and to move drone threats away from northern communities. Furthermore, Beirut's Dahiya district would also be evacuated and its terrorist infrastructure targeted. "Over a million Shiites will become displaced in Lebanon," Katz warned, adding a personal message to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and his successor Naim Qassem, suggesting they would meet a fiery end.
Katz's warnings align with the security policy he has been leading since taking office. Last week, he issued a sharp statement against the Supreme Court, urging it to refrain from intervening in the IDF's operational activities in the West Bank, asserting it as an operational rather than legal matter.
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