Katz on the escalation in Lebanon: "No account on any front will remain open"
The Minister of Defense sent a message following a Hezbollah attack in which three IDF soldiers were seriously wounded: "We will forcefully defend our soldiers and citizens." Throughout the night, the IDF also struck in the security zone in southern Lebanon, in Kantara and on the Ali-Tahar ridge. Security sources: these were routine strikes.
Minister of Defense Israel Katz sent a firm message this morning (Sunday) against the backdrop of security developments over the last day and the escalation on the Lebanese border.
"No account on any front will remain open. We will forcefully defend our soldiers and citizens," Katz stated.
The Minister of Defense's words come after three IDF soldiers were seriously wounded yesterday in a Hezbollah attack against forces operating in the security zone in southern Lebanon. Following the attack, the IDF responded with a series of strikes against the terrorist organization's targets.
Throughout the night, the IDF continued to operate in southern Lebanon. The strikes were carried out in the security zone, including in the Kantara area and on the Ali-Tahar ridge. However, security sources noted that the overnight strikes were defined as routine activity and not as an additional response to the incident in which the soldiers were wounded.
Yesterday, following the Hezbollah attack, the Air Force struck the organization's infrastructure in the Nabatieh and Ansar areas. The IDF stated that the strikes were carried out in response to hostile activity by Hezbollah operatives against IDF forces on the Ali-Tahar ridge.
The Prime Minister's Office also published an unusual statement yesterday in English, in which it accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire. According to the statement, in response to the wounding of the soldiers, the IDF struck the Hezbollah headquarters from which the order to act against the forces was given. At the same time, the United States placed the responsibility for the escalation on Hezbollah. A State Department spokesperson said that the events underscore the need to disarm the organization.
