Israeli Defense Minister Vows No Withdrawal from Northern Security Zones After Lebanon Visit

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz visited the northern border area near the Bofor Fortress in Lebanon on Wednesday, where he reviewed the ongoing military operations against Hezbollah. During the visit, Katz received a detailed briefing from commanders about both overt and covert activities in the region and discussed preparations for continuing the campaign against the militant group. He praised the troops for their operational achievements and emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong Israeli military presence in the security zones.

Katz instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to prepare for a prolonged presence in the area, focusing on clearing terrorist infrastructure, including underground tunnels. He highlighted the recent destruction of Hezbollah tunnels in the Bofor ridge, which protects northern Israeli communities such as Metula, and stressed that Israel will not withdraw from these security zones in Lebanon, Syria, or Gaza. Katz stated, "We are here to protect the northern communities and our forces, to clear this area, and to ensure the safety of northern residents. We will under no circumstances retreat from the security zones."

He further explained that the military strategy aims to keep Israeli forces positioned above ground while Hezbollah remains below, ensuring civilian safety. Katz condemned the Iranian-backed terrorist infrastructure intended for attacks on the Galilee region and vowed to continue dismantling these threats. The visit included senior military officials such as Deputy Chief of Staff Tamir Yadai, Northern Command Chief Rafi Milo, and Gaza Division Commander Yiftah Nurkin, among others.

This visit and Katz's statements come amid heightened tensions with Hezbollah and underscore Israel's commitment to securing its northern borders and preventing militant incursions following the lessons learned from the October 7 attacks.