The warning on behalf of the fragile ceasefire with the whole Lebanese government came from Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz: according to The Times of Israel, he said the collapse of the ceasefire opens up everything without exception, and an asymmetrical response will be offered.
On a visit to the northern border, Katz expressed commitment to enforcing the agreement in words: “We will work with all our might to ensure compliance, showing maximum response and zero tolerance.” He reiterated that Israel would not allow Hezbollah to revert to past tactics.
Referring to the recent incident when Hezbollah fired upon Mount Dov, Katz called it the first serious test of the ceasefire. “We reacted strongly, and this is the approach we will continue to take. We will not allow Hezbollah to go back to its old habits, like the tent they once pitched on the border without being held accountable,” he said.
Katz called on Lebanon to mobilize its army to implement the ceasefire by keeping Hezbollah away from the Litani River and destroying its infrastructure. “If Lebanon does nothing and this agreement collapses, the results will be unmistakable. If we’re forced to go back to a scenario of war, then we’ll use much greater force and we’ll go much deeper into Lebanon. The state of Lebanon will no longer have any immunity,” he threatened.
He added that Israel had in the past differentiated between the Lebanese state and Hezbollah, especially in cities like Beirut and its southern suburb of Dahiyeh, where major parts of it had been devastated by heavy Israeli bombardment. “This distinction now will no longer exist,” Katz said.
Earlier on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack by Hezbollah at Mount Dov, labeling it a serious violation of the ceasefire. He said Israel was committed to maintaining the ceasefire, and would react strongly to any violation, whatever the magnitude.
