'Israel' vows intensified strikes against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon

• 'Israeli' Defense Minister Israel Katz warns of increased military action against Hezbollah.
• Four people were killed in southern Lebanon in a recent 'Israeli' strike.
• Katz criticizes the Lebanese government for not disarming Hezbollah.

'Israel' on Sunday warned it would step up military operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, following an air strike that killed four people, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

Despite a ceasefire reached in November 2024, 'Israeli' forces continue to maintain troops in five areas in southern Lebanon and carry out regular strikes.

“Hezbollah is playing with fire, and the president of Lebanon is dragging his feet,” Defence Minister Israel Katz said. “The Lebanese government's commitment to disarm Hezbollah and remove it from southern Lebanon must be implemented. Maximum enforcement will continue and even intensify, we will not allow any threat to the residents of the north.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu added that Hezbollah is attempting to “rearm” itself. “We expect the Lebanese government to fulfil its commitment, to disarm Hezbollah, but it is clear we will exercise our right of self-defence under the terms of ceasefire,” he said. “We will not allow Lebanon to become a renewed front against us, and we will act as necessary,” according to a statement issued by his office.

Since the ceasefire, US officials have pressured Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, a plan opposed by the group and its allies. The Lebanese government has prepared a plan to assert a state monopoly on weapons, beginning in the south.

However, 'Israel' has continued air strikes targeting Hezbollah positions and recently intensified attacks. On Thursday, 'Israeli' ground troops conducted a deadly raid into southern Lebanon, prompting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to order the army to confront such incursions.

Aoun previously sought talks with 'Israel' in mid-October, following a US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza, but later accused 'Israel' of intensifying strikes in response. The latest attack in Nabatiyeh district killed four people, according to Lebanese authorities.