Supporters of Hezbollah celebrated the truce as a victory, but analysts argue that the group was significantly weakened by its war with Israel. © Anwar AMRO / AFP
Jerusalem: Israel has warned it will expand its military operations, including targeting Lebanese state assets, if the fragile truce with Hezbollah collapses.
The warning, issued on Tuesday, followed Hezbollah's launch of two mortars into a disputed area near the Lebanese, Syrian, and Israeli border on Monday. Hezbollah accused Israel of repeated ceasefire violations. In response, Israel carried out airstrikes on over 20 sites across Lebanon, according to Xinhua news agency.
During a visit to the northern border, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that any breach of the truce would prompt a "maximum response and zero tolerance." He indicated that if hostilities resume, Israeli forces would act with increased force, penetrate deeper into enemy territory, and expand the scope of operations to include the Lebanese state.
In a cabinet meeting held in Nahariya, a northern Israeli city, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the ceasefire is a temporary pause in hostilities rather than the conclusion of the conflict. He described the ceasefire as being enforced "with an iron fist" and reaffirmed that Israel would respond to all violations, regardless of their severity. Netanyahu reiterated that Israel remains committed to maintaining the truce but would not tolerate breaches by the opposing side.
The ceasefire, which came into effect on November 27, aims to halt the cross-border violence between Hezbollah and Israel that erupted on October 8, 2023.
With IANS inputs