Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said: "Hezbollah is joking with fire", emphasizing that the neutralization of this force from southern Lebanon is to ensure the safety of Israeli people living in the northern border area.
We will not allow any threats to be directed at residents in the north, the Israeli Defense Minister said.
The Israeli government also called on the Lebanese government to stop hesitating and quickly implement its commitment to seek a solution to the dismantling of Hezbollah.
Thousands of Israelis living near the northern border with Lebanon have been evacuated for months after Hezbollah began launching missiles at Israel, shortly after the war broke out in the Gaza Strip in October 2023.
Hezbollah has repeatedly stated that this move is to show solidarity with the Palestinian people as well as its ally Hamas, putting pressure on Israel to stop attacking Gaza.
The conflict lasted for more than a year, ending in two months of open fighting before reaching a ceasefire in November 2024.
The Iran-backed armed group is said to have been severely weakened after direct clashes but has maintained its military and financial capabilities.
In September 2024, Israel killed longtime Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and many other senior commanders in a military campaign. Since the ceasefire, the US has also increased pressure on Lebanese authorities to withdraw from the Hezbollah alliance.
Notably, Israel has never stopped airstrikes in Lebanon despite a ceasefire with Hezbollah, and has even intensified its attacks in recent days.
On October 30, Israel launched an infantry raid in southern Lebanon, causing many casualties and forcing Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to react strongly.
As of November 1, Israel continued airstrikes in Nabatiyeh district, southern Lebanon, killing four people, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
The Israeli military confirmed the attack, saying it killed a member of Hezbollah's Radwan Force in southern Lebanon.
