Politics No ceasefire: Israel's defense minister remains tough on Lebanon conflict

SDA

12.11.2024 - 11:38

ARCHIVE - Israel Katz, still Israel's foreign minister in this picture, listens during a United Nations Security Council meeting on the war in Gaza at UN headquarters in October.  (to dpa: "Israeli media: Minister speaks of attack on Iran's nuclear facilities") Photo: Bebeto Matthews/AP/dpa
ARCHIVE - Israel Katz, still Israel's foreign minister in this picture, listens during a United Nations Security Council meeting on the war in Gaza at UN headquarters in October. (to dpa: "Israeli media: Minister speaks of attack on Iran's nuclear facilities") Photo: Bebeto Matthews/AP/dpa
Keystone

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has made it clear that there will be no ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon. He emphasized the military successes and the need to continue the offensive.

Keystone-SDA

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has made it clear that there will be no ceasefire in the conflict with the Lebanese Hezbollah militia. Following consultations with the General Staff, Katz declared on Platform X that there would be neither a ceasefire nor a pause in Lebanon. This statement contradicts reports that had raised hopes of an imminent ceasefire after more than a year of war.

Military successes and continuation of the offensive

Katz praised the "great and powerful operations" of the Israeli army against Hezbollah and emphasized the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. These actions would paint a "picture of victory" for Israel. The Defense Minister emphasized that the attack activities must continue. "We will continue the strikes against Hezbollah with all our strength until the war aims are achieved," he wrote.

Conditions for an agreement

Israel will only consider an agreement with Hezbollah under certain conditions. These include Israel's right to continue fighting terror in Lebanon, the disarmament of Hezbollah and its withdrawal to the area north of the Litani River. Only if these conditions are met would Israel be prepared to consider an agreement.