During a visit to the northern border with Lebanon on Wednesday, Israel’s newly appointed defense minister made it clear to top military officials that there would be no reduction in the intensity of the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, signaling a continued commitment to the war effort.
“We will make no ceasefires, we will not take our foot off the pedal, and we will not allow any arrangement that does not include the achievement of our war objectives,” Israel Katz said on his first visit to the border region since his appointment.
“We will continue to strike Hezbollah everywhere,” Katz added.
In the wake of Katz’s remarks, the Israeli military reported that air raid sirens were triggered throughout central and northern Israel. The army further stated that it had successfully intercepted several of the “five projectiles” that had crossed from Lebanon into Israeli airspace.
After Yoav Gallant’s sacking, Katz, who had been serving as foreign minister, took over as defense minister just last week, a change in leadership that underscores the shifting priorities within the Israeli government.
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He told army chief Herzi Halevi: “We have struck Hezbollah with heavy blows and eliminated (Hezbollah leader Hassan) Nasrallah — and now is exactly the time to continue striking them with full force in order to realise the fruits of victory.”
He made it clear that Israel would not endorse any ceasefire proposal unless it fully achieves the war’s objectives, such as disarming Hezbollah, pushing them past the Litani River in southern Lebanon, and creating the necessary conditions for the safe return of residents to their homes in northern Israeli communities.
