Katz threatens Iran over Lebanon, says army preparing for 'extended stay'

Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has directed the Israeli army (IDF) to prepare for a prolonged presence within the designated security zone in southern Lebanon. This directive comes in the wake of an agreement between Israel and Lebanon aimed at ending hostilities.

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The prime minister and I have instructed the IDF (Israeli army) to prepare for an extended stay in the security zone.

The condition for Israel's redeployment or withdrawal from southern Lebanon is explicitly tied to the disarmament of the Hezbollah organization across the entire country. "The important principle established in the agreement is that there will be no redeployment by Israel in southern Lebanon, no withdrawal, as long as the terrorist organization Hezbollah is not disarmed throughout Lebanon," Katz stated.

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The important principle established in the agreement is that there will be no redeployment by Israel in southern Lebanon, no withdrawal, as long as the terrorist organization Hezbollah is not disarmed throughout Lebanon.

Furthermore, Katz issued a stern warning to Iran, vowing a forceful response should Tehran attempt any military action against Israel. Such an attack, he suggested, would be an effort to thwart the implementation of the newly agreed-upon framework with Lebanon. "If Iran tries to attack Israel to prevent the implementation of the agreement, we will act against it with great force," Katz declared.

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If Iran tries to attack Israel to prevent the implementation of the agreement, we will act against it with great force.

Katz characterized the agreement with Lebanon as a significant achievement, asserting that it has delivered a "strategic blow to the Iranian axis." The defense minister's statements underscore Israel's firm stance on regional security and its commitment to neutralizing perceived threats from Iran and its proxies.

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The agreement with Lebanon had dealt a 'strategic blow to the Iranian axis.'