2 minute read
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered strikes against dozens of Hezbollah targets last night after four troops were killed and others were wounded in attacks by the group yesterday.
The Times of Israel cited Netanyahu as saying that Israel will remain in its “security zone” in southern Lebanon “for as long as necessary.”
“Following Hezbollah’s criminal attack, which constitutes a blatant violation of the ceasefire, I instructed the IDF last night to strike Hezbollah with force,” he said in a Hebrew-language statement from his office, according to The Times of Israel.
According to the premier, the IDF struck more than 80 Hezbollah targets and killed dozens of “terrorists” overnight, before carrying out additional strikes on Hezbollah command centers in the Beqaa Valley this morning.
“Israel will not tolerate attacks on our soldiers or on our territory, and it will exact a very heavy price from Hezbollah for such attacks,” he added.
Repeating a pledge he made yesterday, Netanyahu said that “Israel will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary in order to protect the communities of the north.”
Israel has launched air attacks on southern Lebanon a day after the United States and Iran signed an interim agreement calling for an end to their conflict on all fronts, including Lebanon.