Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened the Lebanese Hezbollah militia during a visit to troops in southern Lebanon on Sunday, according to his office.
“We have pulled the teeth of the snake, and if Hezbollah does not withdraw beyond the Litani River and try to break the ceasefire, we will crush its head,” Katz said.
The visit aimed to “monitor security measures before the next phases of the ceasefire are implemented.”
Meanwhile, the army reported that a Hezbollah “combat facility” with weapons depots in southern Lebanon had been destroyed.
The pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia and Israel largely ended their mutual attacks with a ceasefire in late November. The agreement stipulates that Hezbollah must withdraw behind the Litani River, about 30 kilometers north of the Israeli-Lebanese border.
Israeli ground forces must gradually withdraw from Lebanon within 60 days. The Lebanese army is charged with monitoring compliance with the agreement.
