Defense Minister Israel Katz visited Division 146, a reserve division stationed in the western part of the Lebanon border, alongside the division’s commander, Brigadier General Yiftach Norkin. Katz met with brigade commanders to discuss the operational situation in the area following yesterday’s events, which included rocket launches by Hezbollah toward Mount Dov and a series of powerful IDF strikes across southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah sites, operatives, and weapons stockpiles.
“Our Policy, Together with the IDF, is Clear and Unequivocal”
During his visit, Katz emphasized Israel’s determination to counter emerging threats on the northern border and avoid reverting to the pre-war status quo:
“Yesterday was a first test. They fire at Mount Dov as if it’s outside the usual discourse or open to interpretation. For us, it’s not subject to any interpretation. We responded forcefully, and that’s exactly how we will continue to act. We will not allow Hezbollah to revert to its old methods, like placing a tent that goes unchallenged. We are far beyond those times. Everything that was, will no longer be.
“Our policy, together with the IDF, is clear and unequivocal—we will act with full force to enforce all the understandings of the ceasefire agreement, and we will respond with maximum force and zero tolerance.”
Katz also sent a direct message to Lebanon, accompanied by clear warnings about the future:
“The Lebanese government must decide to authorize its army to enforce its part of the agreement, remove Hezbollah beyond the Litani River, and dismantle all their infrastructure.”
Katz added that if Lebanon fails to act, the agreement will collapse.
“If we return to war, we will act with force, go deeper, and the most important thing they need to understand: there will no longer be immunity for Lebanon. If until now we differentiated between Lebanon and Hezbollah, between Beirut and Dahiya, which suffered very heavy blows—this will no longer be the case.”
