Defense Minister: Israel will not tolerate ceasefire violations

According to its defense minister, Israel intends to take tough action against the Lebanese Hezbollah militia even after a ceasefire in the event of violations.

"It will not be as it was before," said Minister Israel Katz at a meeting with the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, according to his office. "We will take action against any threat, anytime, anywhere," Katz said.

"Every house in southern Lebanon that is rebuilt and in which a terrorist base is set up will be destroyed," Katz continued. In addition, action will be taken against any rearmament of Hezbollah and any attempt to smuggle weapons. "Any threat to our troops or the citizens of Israel will be destroyed immediately."

He emphasized that the Israeli government would show "zero tolerance" towards violations of the ceasefire. At the same time, he called on the UN peacekeeping force Unifil to effectively implement a ceasefire.

SDA