The Israeli Defense Minister said: “There will not be any ceasefire or truce in Lebanon. We will continue to strike the Lebanese factions with full force until the war goals are achieved. Israel will not agree to any settlement that does not guarantee its right to enforce and combat terrorism on its own, and achieve the goals of the war in Lebanon, by disarming the Lebanese factions and pushing them to withdraw beyond the Litani River, and for the residents of the north to return safely to their homes.”
The Israeli Ministry of Defense indicated in a statement yesterday, Monday, that Katz met with the General Staff headed by Herzi Halevy, and in the presence of the Ministry’s Director General, Eyal Zamir, who had informed Katz of his intention to resign from his position, a week after the dismissal of Yoav Galant.
The statement quoted Katz as saying: “The government’s priority is very clear, which is the issue of Iran – preventing Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon.” We are today, due to the harsh strikes we directed against the Lebanese factions and the crushing blow we directed against Iran, in a situation that makes Iran more vulnerable today than ever before to less strikes, both physically and psychologically.”
He added, “Today, there is a broad national and institutional consensus on the necessity of thwarting the Iranian nuclear project, and there is also an understanding that this matter is implementable, not only from the security aspect, but also from the political aspect. There is an opportunity to remove the threat of annihilation from Israel.” We have an opportunity and you must invest your maximum potential to achieve this.”
The minister continued: “We will also stop Iranian aggression against Israel directly and through its affiliated terrorist organizations, and we must end this capability.” The strong operations carried out by the Israeli army and security services against the Lebanese factions represent an image of victory, and offensive operations must continue to undermine the capabilities of the Lebanese factions and achieve the gains of victory.”
Regarding the Gaza Strip, Katz said: “The issue of prisoners remains our top priority, as I mentioned when I assumed my position as Minister of Foreign Affairs. It is the most important moral goal that the security establishment seeks to achieve, and we will do everything in our power to return them to the homeland and ensure decisiveness in confronting the Palestinian factions.
Source: Agencies
#Israeli #Defense #Minister #ceasefire #truce #Lebanon
**Interview with Dr. Miriam Lev, Middle East Policy Analyst**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Lev. The recent comments from Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Katz regarding the situation in Lebanon have raised significant concerns. Can you summarize the main points of his statement?
**Dr. Lev:** Thank you for having me. Minister Katz clearly stated that Israel will not entertain any ceasefire or truce in Lebanon, emphasizing a continued military campaign against Lebanese factions. He insists that Israel’s operational goals include disarming these groups and ensuring that they are pushed back beyond the Litani River. Katz also stressed the importance of Israel maintaining its capability to combat terrorism independently.
**Editor:** Katz’s statements suggest a very aggressive stance. What could be the implications of this hardline approach for regional stability?
**Dr. Lev:** It’s a very precarious situation. An ongoing military campaign is likely to exacerbate tensions not just within Lebanon, but across the region. This could lead to further civilian casualties, increased displacement, and possibly draw in other regional actors. It also poses a significant risk of escalating into broader conflict with neighboring countries supportive of Lebanese factions.
**Editor:** In conjunction with these military actions, there is obviously a political backdrop. What do you make of the internal dynamics within Israel’s Ministry of Defense, especially with the resignation of Eyal Zamir following the dismissal of Yoav Galant?
**Dr. Lev:** The leadership turbulence in the Ministry of Defense signals a potentially unstable political environment. Frequent changes in high-ranking positions can create inefficiencies and disrupt strategic decision-making. If the resignation of Zamir indicates dissatisfaction with current policies, it may suggest that there are differing opinions on how hardline or conciliatory Israel should be regarding its military actions. This internal dissent could eventually influence Israel’s military strategy moving forward.
**Editor:** Given all these factors, what do you think would be a viable solution moving forward?
**Dr. Lev:** A viable solution would involve diplomatic engagement alongside military measures, focusing on dialogue aimed at de-escalation. It’s essential for Israel to consider the broader implications of its tactics and seek cooperative efforts with relevant regional players to address the underlying issues of terrorism and security. Without a comprehensive approach, simply pursuing military objectives may lead to a prolonged conflict and further instability.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Lev, for sharing your insights. It’s a complex situation, and understanding the implications is crucial for all parties involved.
**Dr. Lev:** Thank you for having me. It’s essential we keep the conversation going on these critical issues.