Israel has declared that disarming Hezbollah remains a strategic objective of its campaign in Lebanon and will be achieved through a combination of "military and diplomatic means." The statement was made by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who, during a memorial ceremony in Israel, emphasized that operations could continue if the situation on the ground does not change.
"The strategic goal is the disarmament of Hezbollah through a combination of military and diplomatic means," Katz stated, adding that Israel will respond to any attack originating from Lebanese territory.
He also warned that if the Lebanese government does not fulfill its obligations, Israeli military operations may continue. These statements come at a delicate moment, just days after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect, which has nonetheless been accompanied by isolated incidents along the border.
Meanwhile, according to an American diplomat cited by AFP, new direct talks between representatives of Lebanon and Israel are expected to take place in Washington on Thursday. This follows an initial meeting between ambassadors of the two countries.
The situation remains tense, as the Israeli military recently urged residents of some areas in southern Lebanon not to return to their homes, accusing Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire. The region continues to be in a fragile phase of stability, caught between diplomacy and threats of military escalation.