Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has issued a stern warning regarding any violations of a proposed ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah. In a meeting with UN Lebanon envoy Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert on Tuesday in Tel Aviv, Katz declared that Israel would act decisively to protect its security interests.
“If you do not act, we will do it, forcefully,” Katz told the envoy, emphasizing Israel’s “zero tolerance” policy. He added:
“Any house rebuilt in south Lebanon and used as a terrorist base will be destroyed, any rearming or terrorist organisation will be attacked, any attempt at transferring arms will be foiled, and any threat against our forces or our citizens will be immediately eliminated.”
The warning comes ahead of a scheduled vote by Israel’s security cabinet on the proposed ceasefire agreement. The ceasefire aims to bring an end to the escalating conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, which intensified into a full-scale war in late September.
Katz criticized the past inefficacy of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), stating that the build-up of Hezbollah’s military capabilities in southern Lebanon during UNIFIL’s oversight was unacceptable and would not be allowed to continue.
The United States, European Union, and United Nations have been actively mediating to secure a truce between the two sides. Meanwhile, the White House has expressed optimism that the deal is close to being finalized.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, as a sustainable ceasefire could significantly impact the region’s stability.