06/04/2026June 4, 2026
Israeli defense minister claims ‘freedom’ to strike Beirut if Hezbollah attacks
Israel’s military will continue to carry out operations in Lebanon and not withdraw for the time being, Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday, despite the announcement of a new ceasefire.
Isarel and Lebanon on Wednesday had agreed to a pause hostilities, after talks brokered by the United States. As per the agreement, Lebanon-based and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah is to stop all attacks on Israel and withdraw its fighters from the south of the Litani River in southern Lebanon.
Katz said Israeli forces would remain in southern Lebanon which it is occupying as part of a buffer zone, meant to protect northern Israeli communities from attacks.
Hundreds of thousands of Lebanese residents have been driven out of the region since Israel began it military operation there in March. Katz said they would not be allowed to return.
“The IDF will, at this stage, continue its fire and ground operations, remain in the security zone in Lebanon up to the Yellow Line — including in the Beaufort area — and without the return of the population, while continuing to dismantle terrorist infrastructure on the ground,” he said.
Katz added that Isarel’s military had the freedom, with American backing, “to strike Beirut in response to fire on Israeli communities and territory.”
Lebanon says Israeli drone stikes continue
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s state-run news agency reported that Israeli attacks continue in the country despite the fresh ceasefire attempt. There were at least two drone strikes in the morning on different vehicles in southern Lebanon, the National News Agency reported.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese civil defense authority urged people to be patient and not return to their homes prematurely.
While a ceasefire was initially agreed in early April, Israel and Hezbollah had continued to trade fire.
Israeli forces continue their advance into southern Lebanon
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
