Katz Threatens Use of Force Against Iran If It Disrupts Agreement with Lebanon

SadaNews - Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed today, Saturday, to respond with "great force" if Iran attacks Israel in an attempt to prevent the implementation of the framework agreement reached with Lebanon under U.S. sponsorship. Katz stated in a video message, "If Iran attempts to attack Israel to impede the agreement's implementation, we will act against it with great force," adding that the agreement with Lebanon dealt a "strategic blow to the Iranian axis." "Long Stay" He also clarified that the army has been ordered to prepare for a "long stay" in the areas it occupies in southern Lebanon. Katz said in a video statement, "The Prime Minister and I instructed the Israeli army to prepare for a long stay in the security zone," referring to the area that extends up to ten kilometers into Lebanese territory. He added that "the important principle established in the agreement is that there will be no Israeli redeployment in southern Lebanon and no withdrawal as long as Hezbollah, the "terrorist" organization, is not disarmed throughout Lebanon." Framework Agreement Israel and Lebanon signed a framework agreement yesterday, Friday, mediated and supported by the United States after talks held between them in Washington. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the agreement as a significant blow to Iran, asserting that Israel will remain in the security belt in southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah retains its arms. Netanyahu remarked that the lengthy negotiations with Lebanon have borne fruit today, indicating that Israel will stay in the security belt in southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah maintains its weaponry. He noted that Israel will allow the Lebanese army to control "two trial areas," one located entirely outside the security zone, south of the Litani River, while the second lies to the north of the Litani, with only a small part of it within the expanded security zone.