Israel Warns Of Widening Strikes If Ceasefire Collapses

Rafi Shitrit speaks with soldiers patrolling the area as he cleans in front of his house during a visit for the day in the agricultural settlement of Avivim, next to the Lebanese border in upper Galil

Israel's defense minister has issued a warning that in the event of the fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah collapsing, Israel will escalate its strikes and target the Lebanese state directly. This statement follows a recent series of Israeli airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of nearly a dozen individuals. The airstrikes were in response to Hezbollah firing projectiles as a warning against alleged Israeli violations.

During an address to troops at the northern border, Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized a policy of 'maximum response and zero tolerance' towards any breaches of the ceasefire agreement. He further stated that if hostilities resume, Israel will expand its strikes beyond Hezbollah's known areas of operation, with no exceptions for the state of Lebanon.

Hezbollah's involvement in launching rockets, drones, and missiles into Israel last year, in support of Hamas militants in Gaza, has been a key factor in the ongoing tensions. The conflict in Gaza, initiated by Hamas-led militants, has resulted in significant casualties and displacement of civilians.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese army has initiated a recruitment drive to strengthen its presence in southern Lebanon following the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The army, a respected national institution, is set to deploy additional troops in the region as part of the truce agreement.

Recent Israeli airstrikes in response to Hezbollah warnings resulted in casualties.

Israel threatens to target Lebanese state directly if ceasefire collapses.

Defense Minister emphasizes 'maximum response and zero tolerance' policy.

Hezbollah's support for Hamas in Gaza adds to regional tensions.

Lebanese army strengthens presence in southern Lebanon post-ceasefire.

Drone strike in Damascus linked to Israeli actions against Hezbollah.

Iran's ambassador to Lebanon condemns Israeli aggression after attack.

Tensions persist as parties navigate ceasefire agreements and conflicts.

In a separate incident, a drone strike in Damascus, Syria, targeted a car in a suburb, resulting in one fatality. The area is known to host members of Iran-backed militant groups, and such strikes have been linked to Israeli actions against Hezbollah in neighboring Lebanon.

Amidst these developments, Iran's ambassador to Lebanon has reappeared in public after sustaining injuries in an attack involving exploding pagers. The ambassador condemned the airstrike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, attributing it to Israeli aggression.

Overall, the region remains tense as various parties navigate the complexities of the ceasefire agreements and ongoing conflicts, with Israel, Hezbollah, and other actors playing significant roles in shaping the security landscape.