Strouk Says Israel Will Stay in South Lebanon and Expand Its Grip

Cabinet minister Orit Strouk said in an interview with Channel 7 that Israel must respond forcefully to drone launches from Lebanon and make Hezbollah understand that any strike on Israeli territory will exact a painful price. She said she conveyed that message directly to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding, “Hezbollah needs to know that what you say you do, and that every hit on our territory will come at a cost they do not want to pay under any circumstances.”

Strouk was asked whether IDF forces are expected to remain in southern Lebanon, and answered yes. “Of course,” she said, arguing that anyone who thinks Israel will withdraw should look at what the army finds there every day and every hour, “terrorists, massive terror infrastructure and weapons. What did they not prepare there in order to destroy us.”

She said Israel must not repeat past mistakes by pulling back again from the area. “There is no reason to repeat the mistake again. We will stay there and deepen our hold there,” she said.

Strouk also addressed the possibility of a US-Iran agreement and its implications for Israel’s freedom of action in the north. She said, “An agreement with Iran cannot restrict the State of Israel from taking care of its security in southern Lebanon.”