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Israel Vows to Disarm Hezbollah, Demolish Border Outposts in Lebanon

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz has reaffirmed that disarming the Hezbollah militant group remains the country's paramount objective in Lebanon. He announced the IDF will maintain security control in southern Lebanon up to the Litani River and demolish villages serving as Hezbollah outposts. The military campaign has already resulted in the elimination of over 1,000 Hezbollah operatives, including senior commanders. Katz emphasized that residents of southern Lebanon will not be allowed to return until the security of northern Israel is guaranteed.

Key Points: Israel's Top Goal: Disarm Hezbollah in Lebanon, Says Defence Minister

  • Disarm Hezbollah as top goal
  • IDF to maintain security control up to Litani River
  • Demolish Hezbollah outposts near border
  • Continue targeting Hezbollah leaders
2 min read

Disarming Hezbollah remains Israel's top objective in Lebanon: Defence Minister Katz

Israel's Defence Minister states disarming Hezbollah is the primary objective, with plans for military control in southern Lebanon and demolition of border villages.

"Israel's policy in Lebanon has been and remains clear: the top objective is the disarmament of Hezbollah through military and political means - Israel Katz"

Jerusalem, April 3

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz on Friday reiterated that the country's top objective in Lebanon remains disarming Hezbollah through military and political means. After an assessment with military officials, Katz said, "Israel's policy in Lebanon has been and remains clear: the top objective is the disarmament of Hezbollah through military and political means, regardless of the Iran issue," 'The Times of Israel' reported.

Katz said that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) is completing its ground offensive in southern Lebanon up to the line from which Hezbollah can carry out anti-tank missiles attacks against Israel.

"Homes in villages near the border in Lebanon, which serve in every respect as Hezbollah outposts, will be demolished in accordance with the Rafah and Khan Younis model in Gaza, to remove the threat to Israeli communities."

Katz announced that the IDF will "maintain security control" in southern Lebanon, up to the Litani River and will not allow 600,000 residents of southern Lebanon to return until the security of northern residents is ensured, 'The Times of Israel' reported.

"The IDF will continue to target Hezbollah leaders and operatives throughout Lebanon, in addition to the 1,000 terrorists who have already been eliminated since the beginning of the current campaign," Katz said while announcing that IDF will "act forcefully" against Hezbollah's rocket fire on Israel. He stated that Israel will continue to ensure the security of the northern communities as promised.

Earlier in the day, IDF said that 1,000 terrorists, including senior commanders were killed while over 3,500 terror targets were hit over the past month in Lebanon. It mentioned that bridges used for transferring weapons and economy forces were also struck.

"Over the past month in Lebanon: 1,000 terrorists eliminated - including senior commanders. 3,500+ terror targets struck. ⁠5 central bridges used to transfer weapons and enemy forces struck. Key assets and financial storage sites struck," IDF posted on X.

On April 1, IDF claimed that Hezbollah's Southern Front commander Hajj Yusuf Ismail Hashem was killed in a strike conducted by the Israeli Navy in Beirut.

"Eliminated: Hajj Yusuf Ismail Hashem, the Commander of Hezbollah's Southern Front. Hashem, eliminated by the Israeli Navy in a strike in Beirut, was a senior commander with 40+ years of experience, and was a central figure in Hezbollah that led its rehabilitation and commanded attacks toward Israel," IDF posted on X.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
As an Indian, our primary concern should be the safety of our citizens in the region and the stability of global energy markets. Any major conflict there affects us all. The rhetoric from both sides is alarming. Hope cooler heads prevail.
A
Aman W
The statement about not allowing residents to return until their security is ensured sounds reasonable in theory, but in practice, it creates a massive humanitarian crisis. Where will these people go? The world cannot afford another Gaza-like situation. The UN and regional powers need to step in urgently.
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Sarah B
Reading this from Delhi. Hezbollah is a designated terrorist organization by many countries, and its disarmament is crucial for regional peace. However, the method matters. A purely military solution often sows the seeds for the next conflict. The political track must be pursued with equal vigor.
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Vikram M
The numbers mentioned are staggering – 1000 operatives, 3500 targets. This is a full-scale war by any other name. India has always advocated for peaceful resolution of disputes. This path only leads to more suffering for ordinary Lebanese and Israeli citizens. Jai Hind.
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Karthik V
Respectfully, I have to criticize the Minister's approach. Demolishing villages as "outposts" is collective punishment. It didn't work in Gaza to achieve long-term security, and it won't work in Lebanon. This strategy radicalizes more people than it deters. Israel needs a smarter, more sustainable security policy.

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