BEIRUT/JERUSALEM: Israel issued a stark warning on Tuesday, threatening to escalate its military campaign in Lebanon if the fragile truce with Hezbollah collapses. The warning follows the deadliest day since the ceasefire was established last week, ending 14 months of conflict.
In its strongest statement yet, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that any renewed war would see deeper attacks targeting the Lebanese state itself. Katz emphasized that Lebanon would no longer be exempt from responsibility for Hezbollah’s actions. “If we return to war, we will act strongly, go deeper, and make it clear there will no longer be an exemption for the state of Lebanon,” Katz said during a visit to Israel’s northern border.
He added, “If until now we separated the state of Lebanon from Hezbollah… it will no longer be like this.”
Despite the truce, tensions remain high. Israeli forces have continued operations against what they claim are Hezbollah fighters violating the agreement by attacking and refusing to withdraw beyond the Litani River, roughly 30 kilometers from the border.
On Monday, Hezbollah shelled an Israeli military post, prompting Israeli airstrikes that reportedly killed at least 12 people, according to Lebanese authorities. A drone strike on Tuesday killed another individual in Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underscored his government’s zero-tolerance policy, stating that any breach of the truce, no matter how minor, would face a severe response.
The escalating rhetoric and ongoing violence have cast doubt on the sustainability of the fragile ceasefire.
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