Defense Minister Katz clarified Israel’s policy in a tweet on his X account today (Friday) following Hezbollah’s violations in southern Lebanon. The minister stated that the IDF will continue to hold the security strip in Lebanon, from the coast to the heights of Beaufort. According to him, the goal is clear: protecting the northern communities, neutralizing specific threats, and destroying terrorist infrastructure—above and below ground.
In response to the shooting and the harm to IDF soldiers, the minister announced that Israel will not turn a blind eye to Hezbollah’s violations. Katz updated that the IDF struck over 80 targets and eliminated dozens of terrorists across the Bekaa Valley and Nabatieh, and emphasized that any future violation of the ceasefire by the organization will be met with a powerful response. “We will not allow harm to our soldiers and civilians,” he said.
As a reminder, the IDF yesterday published the map of the security zone in southern Lebanon, where our forces are operating as part of the operational activity. According to the IDF, the forces are deployed in the security zone, which extends approximately 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory. At the same time, the IDF called on the Lebanese army and the country’s residents to avoid reaching the security area where the forces are operating.
The army noted that our forces have established themselves in their area of operation and continue working to eliminate threats and improve protection for the residents of the north. The IDF emphasized that it will continue to maintain control of the security area and act against threats to IDF forces and Israeli citizens detected beyond it. Operational activity in the area is ongoing.