In a major escalation of rhetoric and military planning, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Thursday that the IDF has been officially instructed to prepare for a significant expansion of its operations within Lebanon. Following a high level situational assessment with the military's top brass, including the Deputy Chief of Staff and the Commander of the Air Force, Katz revealed that he had issued a direct and severe warning to the President of Lebanon. The Minister made it clear that the Israeli government will no longer tolerate the inability of the Lebanese state to restrain Hezbollah. If the national government in Beirut cannot prevent the terrorist group from launching rockets at northern Israeli communities, Israel intends to enter the territory and establish security through direct military control.
The core of the new Israeli policy centers on the accountability of the Lebanese state. Minister Katz was blunt in his assessment of the situation, stating that he had informed the Lebanese leadership of the consequences of their inaction. "I warned the President of Lebanon that if the Lebanese government does not know how to control the territory and prevent Hezbollah from threatening the northern settlements and firing toward Israel, we will take the territory and do it ourselves," Katz declared. This statement suggests that a ground operation aimed at creating a buffer zone is now a primary consideration for the political echelon. The Minister emphasized that the priority is the "return of quiet and security" to the residents of northern Israel, many of whom have been displaced for months.
The directive to expand activity follows a night of heavy rocket fire from Lebanon, which was met with powerful IAF strikes in the Dahiyeh district of Beirut and across southern Lebanon. During the meeting with senior commanders, including Home Front Command head Major General Rafi Milo and IAF chief Major General Tomer Bar, Katz and Prime Minister Netanyahu finalized the instructions for the next phase of the campaign. "The Prime Minister and I have instructed the IDF to prepare for the expansion of IDF activity in Lebanon," Katz confirmed. This preparation involves coordinating the logistics for an increased troop presence and ensuring that the Air Force is ready to provide the necessary cover for any potential ground movements. (Read More)
