Katz declares Israel will hold southern Lebanon security zone up to Litani until Hezbollah threat removed
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that Israel will control a security zone in southern Lebanon up to the Litani River until the Hezbollah threat is eliminated. He confirmed all Litani River bridges used by Hezbollah have been destroyed and that Lebanese residents displaced north will not return south of the Litani until northern Israel's security is ensured.
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Defense Minister Katz confirms IDF will hold southern Lebanon up to the Litani River as a security zone. All Litani bridges blown up. Hezbollah tunnel shaft found on Lebanese side of Mount Dov. Israel will not allow displaced Lebanese residents to return south of the Litani until Hezbollah threat is eliminated.
Israel's declared security zone to the Litani directly challenges Hezbollah's southern Lebanon operational base. All Litani bridges confirmed destroyed, cutting Hezbollah's weapons and fighter resupply routes from the Bekaa Valley to southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah tells Reuters: Hezbollah will fight to prevent Israeli troops from occupying southern Lebanon. 'Such an occupation would pose an existential threat to Lebanon as a state.' Hezbollah will resist any Israeli move to establish the security zone up to the Litani.
French FM Jean-Noel Barrot: Israel should 'refrain' from sending troops to seize a zone in south Lebanon. 'We urge the Israeli authorities to refrain from such ground operations, which would have major humanitarian consequences and would exacerbate the country's already dire situation.' France separately praised Lebanon's expulsion of the Iranian ambassador as 'courageous.'
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IDF struck another key Litani River crossing used by Hezbollah. The al-Dalafa Bridge (eastern Litani) was struck overnight following a military warning. Hezbollah used it to move weapons, rockets, and launchers from north to south of the Litani River.