On Sunday, November 2, Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz demanded the Lebanese government dismantle Hezbollah and warned that failure would lead to renewed Israeli military operations.
Katz’s Swift Warning
On Sunday, November 2, Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Lebanese authorities that the conditions of last year’s truce between the two countries must be implemented or Israeli military operations would intensify.
He posted on platform X, accusing Hezbollah of “playing with fire” and noting that the Lebanese president was lagging. Katz added that Lebanon is obliged to disarm Hezbollah and remove it from southern Lebanon. The post appeared after the Israeli army reported it had killed four Hezbollah members.
Obligations of the 2023 Truce
In the truce signed last year, Lebanon committed to disarm Hezbollah, which had controlled the south and fought Israel. The agreement was negotiated with the United States and France and ended an open armed conflict that erupted after Hezbollah fired at Israel following an attack by Palestinian Hamas.
Intensified Israeli Attacks on Lebanon
In recent days, Israel’s army has increased strikes on Lebanon. The Wall Street Journal reported that Hezbollah is rebuilding its arsenal and risking a renewed conflict. In early October, Israel carried out night raids on Al‑Msayleh, killing one person and injuring seven.
The Israeli army said it targeted Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure, but Lebanese President Joseph Aoun noted that civilian objects were hit.
Lebanese President’s Statement
President Joseph Aoun said southern Lebanon has again become the target of brutal Israeli aggression against civilian objects, “without justification or pretext.” He added that the gravity of the attack is that it occurred after a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.