Defense Minister Israel Katz addressed Iranian threats today (Thursday) at an officers’ graduation ceremony, responding to Tehran’s warning that “if Israel doesn’t leave Lebanon today, tomorrow it will flee.” Katz made clear: “If Tehran attacks Israel over our operations in Lebanon, or for any other reason, we will strike it with full force.”
“The IDF will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza—indefinitely—to protect our residents and communities from jihadist elements,” he said. “We will not compromise on Israel’s supreme security interest: defending our soldiers and protecting our citizens—and we will not withdraw from the security zones.”
The defense minister emphasized that Israel’s commanders and fighters have all the backing they need to complete their mission and defend themselves and Israeli citizens. “There is one central principle guiding every decision we make: the lives of our fighters are a supreme value,” he added.
Katz concluded with a message to the young officers, saying that in light of the challenges ahead in the coming years, the IDF’s main advantage will continue to be its human capital. “The years ahead will bring new challenges, and the IDF’s strength will continue to be a decisive factor in our continued existence here and the continued prosperity of the state. Our ability to maintain this strength and even strengthen it rests, first and foremost, on our people.”