Israel on April 20 declared its readiness to use all forces in Lebanon even when the ceasefire is in effect.
Israeli Defense Minister Katz said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and he have instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to conduct ground and air operations to protect soldiers from all threats. According to him, this force is ordered to destroy mine-layed structures or routes, and dismantle houses in border villages that Israel considers Hezbollah's outposts.
Israeli Minister Katz emphasized that the goal of the operation is to disarm Hezbollah and eliminate the risk to northern Israeli residential areas by both military and diplomatic means. He warned that if the Lebanese government does not fulfill its obligations, Israel will continue military action.
Lebanese national news agency reported that Israeli forces are destroying what remains of many houses in the town of Bint Jbeil, where fierce fighting once took place. Residential areas such as Mais al-Jabal and Deir Siryan also recorded houses destroyed, while the town of Kunin was shelled.
Conflict in Lebanon resurfaced after Hezbollah launched missiles into Israeli territory, leading to large-scale airstrikes and the deployment of Israeli ground forces in southern Lebanon. Fighting left nearly 2,300 people dead and about 1.2 million people displaced.
The 10-day ceasefire agreement took effect on April 17, after the first high-level meeting between representatives of the two countries in decades. However, the situation remains tense as military operations have not completely ended.
The Lebanese army said it has reopened some roads and bridges in the south, after previous Israeli attacks on infrastructure across the Litani River disrupted access to the area.
