4 June 2026
Israeli Defense Minister claims ‘freedom’ to attack Beirut if Hezbollah attacks
Despite the new ceasefire announcement, Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday that Israel’s military would continue operations in Lebanon and would not withdraw for now.
Israel and Lebanon agreed on Wednesday to cease hostilities, following talks brokered by the United States. According to the agreement, Lebanon-based and Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah is to cease all attacks on Israel and withdraw its fighters from south of the Litani River in southern Lebanon.
Katz said Israeli forces would remain in southern Lebanon, which it is occupying as part of a buffer zone aimed at protecting northern Israeli communities from attacks.
Thousands of Lebanese residents have been evacuated from the area since Israel began its military campaign there in March. Katz said he would not be allowed to return.
He said, “The IDF, at this stage, will continue its fire and ground operations, remain in the security zone in Lebanon up to the Yellow Line – which includes the Beaufort area – and will continue to destroy terrorist infrastructure on the ground, without withdrawal of the population.”
Katz said that Israel’s military, with American support, “had the freedom to attack Beirut in response to the fire on Israeli communities and territory.”
Lebanon says Israeli drone attacks continue
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s state news agency reported that Israeli attacks were continuing in the country despite the latest ceasefire effort. The national news agency reported that there were at least two drone attacks on different vehicles in the morning in southern Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese Civil Protection Authority has urged people to be patient and not to return to their homes prematurely.
While a ceasefire was agreed upon in early April, Israel and Hezbollah continued to exchange fire.