Israel Warns of Intensified Response If Hezbollah Violates Cease-fire
In his first interview since the implementation of a cease-fire with Lebanon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Thursday that any significant violation by Hezbollah would lead to an “intensive war.” Speaking on Israel’s Channel 14, Netanyahu stated that he had instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to respond forcefully to any “massive violation of the agreement,” indicating that future actions would go beyond the “surgical operations” currently being conducted.
Despite the cease-fire, the IDF carried out several strikes in southern Lebanon on Thursday. The military reported targeting Hezbollah operatives and infrastructure, including a medium-range rocket facility and a known rocket launching site after identifying hostile activity. The IDF also fired warning shots at suspects entering restricted areas along the border.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi addressed the cease-fire enforcement during a military assessment. “We will enforce this [cease-fire] with fire to enable the return of the displaced residents of the north to their homes,” Halevi said. He highlighted the IDF’s achievements over months of fighting, including eliminating key Hezbollah commanders. “We have precise knowledge that Hezbollah came to this agreement from a place of a lack of options and weakness,” he added.
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On the homefront, the IDF’s Home Front Command lifted all restrictions on gatherings south of Haifa, which had been in place due to heavy rocket fire from Hezbollah. However, restrictions remain in northern Israel, and schools in frontier towns and the Golan Heights will stay closed as authorities assess the security situation.
The cease-fire, which began on Wednesday morning, outlines a 60-day transition period. During this time, the IDF will withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon, while the Lebanese Army is set to deploy approximately 5,000 troops south of the Litani River, including at 33 posts along the border. Hezbollah is prohibited from operating south of the river, which is between 3 and 30 kilometers from the Israeli border. The United States has reportedly provided a side letter affirming Israel’s right to respond to any cease-fire violations.
Netanyahu also touched on the situation in Gaza, mentioning a potential hostage-cease-fire deal with Hamas. “I think the conditions have very much changed for the better,” he said, expressing willingness to accept a pause in the Gaza conflict if it could lead to the release of hostages. “I am ready for a cease-fire at any time,” he noted, while emphasizing that he would not agree to end the war entirely, a core demand of Hamas.
Addressing criticisms that he has not done enough to secure a hostage deal, Netanyahu dismissed claims that political pressures are influencing his decisions. Critics have suggested that his far-right coalition partners are pushing to continue the war to fully reoccupy Gaza.
Netanyahu asserted that Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon has left Hamas isolated. “Hamas hoped that Iran would come to save them. That didn’t happen. … But above all, they hoped that Hezbollah would come to save them,” he said. He claimed that Hezbollah’s capabilities have been significantly diminished due to Israel’s military actions.
Netanyahu concluded the interview by affirming his commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. “I will use all the resources that can be used,” he vowed.
