Lebanon
Netanyahu: Israel's Mission in Lebanon Is Not Over
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Monday that Israel’s mission against Hezbollah in Lebanon “is not over,” citing ongoing threats from missiles and drones. He noted operations in southern Lebanon’s security belt and north of the Litani River, asserting Israel’s “freedom of action” to counter immediate and future threats. Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed this, ruling out a ceasefire while Israeli forces and northern towns remain targeted, and demanding Hezbollah’s disarmament across Lebanon. These statements followed Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem’s rejection of negotiations and vows to retaliate. Meanwhile, Israeli forces reported destroying over 50 structures described as “terrorist infrastructure” in southern Lebanon, including a weapons cache hidden in a children’s room.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Monday evening that Tel Aviv's mission against the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon "is not over," especially in light of what he described as "fundamental threats."
Netanyahu said: "The mission is not over yet and there are still fundamental threats from Hezbollah in the form of certain types of missiles and drones," adding, "We are conducting strikes in the security belt area in southern Lebanon and also north of the Litani."
Netanyahu affirmed that Israel has "freedom of action to thwart immediate threats and those in the making in Lebanon."
Earlier Monday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had stressed that "there will be no ceasefire in Lebanon as long as our forces and Galilee towns continue to be targeted," demanding the disarmament of Hezbollah throughout Lebanon.
This came after statements by Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem in which he confirmed his rejection of negotiations between the two countries and vowed to continue responding to Israel's attacks.
Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee also stated that Golani Brigade forces had destroyed more than 50 structures described as "terrorist infrastructure" in southern Lebanon over recent days, in addition to discovering a weapons cache inside a room designated for children.
