Tel Aviv, Israel – Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant issued a stark warning today. He asserted that the military operations in Lebanon have not yet achieved their ultimate objectives. He vowed that Israel would act unilaterally and decisively to strike any attempt by Hezbollah to rebuild its military arsenal.
The three principles: The Israeli roadmap
Gallant emphasized that the agreement with Lebanon was based on three strategic principles that Israel had established as “red lines” that could not be crossed:
South of the Litani: Complete disarmament in the border area to a depth of up to 10 kilometers.
Smuggling ban: Imposing strict controls to prevent weapons from reaching Lebanon through land, air, and sea crossings.
Freedom of action: Israel retains the right to immediate military intervention to neutralize any “emerging” threat in the event of failure by other parties to implement.
Sharp criticism of the Lebanese army
Gallant launched an attack on the performance of the Lebanese Armed Forces, accusing them of “field inaction.” He stated, “Despite official Lebanese pronouncements, the army is avoiding direct confrontation with Hezbollah operatives. This hinders efforts to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure and renders the agreement meaningless.” He added, “We paid a heavy price to destroy Hezbollah’s missile system and eliminate Nasrallah and his top leadership. We will never allow this threat to re-emerge under any circumstances.”
“Preemptive strikes” policy
The minister stressed that Israel would not compromise the security of its citizens, especially in the north, for promises that have not been fulfilled. He emphasized that it is the state’s duty to monitor and nip in the bud any attempts at arming Hezbollah, “wherever necessary.” These statements reflect Israeli dissatisfaction with the pace of the agreement’s implementation. They also confirm that the option of unilateral action is now firmly on the table, potentially jeopardizing the current truce in the face of any Hezbollah military action.
