Defense Minister Katz warns – 'If Hezbollah does not withdraw, there will be no agreement – and we will act forcefully.’

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz visited the IDF Northern Command on Sunday morning, where he was briefed by the Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen. Sagiv Dahan, and other IDF commanders. They reviewed the massive collection of confiscated weapons taken during Israeli military ground operations in southern Lebanon, where Katz stated, "If Hezbollah does not withdraw beyond the Litani, there will be no agreement – and we will act forcefully.” 

Dahan, with other commanders, provided Katz with an operational and intelligence update on the Israel Defense Force's (IDF) recent activity in Lebanon. 

Following the briefing, Katz praised the commanders and soldiers for their uncompromising enforcement against Hezbollah's violations of the ceasefire agreement.

Since the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah forces have been observed attempting to transport weapons or visit known positions south of the Litani River. The agreement explicitly prohibits the presence of Hezbollah forces or weapons in this area.

Since the implementation of the ceasefire, the IDF has conducted several strikes against Hezbollah operatives involved in violations.

Katz stated, "Israel is interested in the implementation of the agreement in Lebanon and will continue to enforce it fully and without compromise in order to ensure the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes – but the first condition for the implementation of the agreement is the complete withdrawal of the Hezbollah terrorist organization across the Litani River, the dismantling of all weapons and the thwarting of the terrorist infrastructure in the area by the Lebanese army – something that has not yet happened.” 

“If this condition is not met, there will be no agreement, and Israel will be forced to act on its own to ensure the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes. We will not allow a renewed threat to be created to the communities in the north and to the citizens of the State of Israel,” he added.

Hezbollah, for its part, has also threatened to respond if Israeli forces remain in Lebanon past the 60-day limit set by the ceasefire deal. On Saturday evening, Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem warned that the terror group might lose patience before the end of the 60 days. 

Israeli leadership has repeatedly warned that it may extend its presence in southern Lebanon if conditions do not match the terms of the agreement. In late December, the IDF noted the slow deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces to the areas previously held by Hezbollah and said it may prolong its presence and operations until Lebanese forces fully assume control.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to convene the Security Cabinet at 5 p.m. on Sunday to assess the situation in Lebanon. This comes ahead of the arrival of the U.S. special envoy, Amos Hochstein, to the region to discuss the ceasefire implementation with Lebanese and Israeli leaders.