JERUSALEM, July 5, (v7n) – Israel's military chief visited forces deployed around Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon on Sunday, reaffirming the military's resolve to continue operations against Hezbollah.
"The IDF will continue to operate decisively to remove threats from Lebanese territory and is prepared to transition rapidly to offensive operations should the ceasefire be violated," Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir told soldiers during the visit, according to a military statement.
Israeli forces recently captured the crusader-era fortress and its surrounding area, securing a strategic foothold it previously held for nearly two decades. Israel says it uncovered a tunnel network beneath the castle, built to provide Hezbollah fighters with a fortified strike hub just kilometres from the Israeli border.
The castle, which was damaged by heavy bombardment during Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon, was later used as an observation post until Israeli troops withdrew in 2000.
"Our troops' activities at the Beaufort Ridge and throughout southern Lebanon are being carried out in accordance with the framework of the agreement and the mechanisms established under it," Zamir said, referring to the recent US-brokered accord between Israel and Lebanon aimed at ending hostilities.
He warned, however, that "any threat directed at our troops or Israeli civilians will be struck immediately and eliminated," and stressed that "the Lebanese Armed Forces are required to fulfil their commitments under the historic agreement and act to clear the area of Hezbollah terrorists and terrorist infrastructure."
Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the wider Middle East conflict on March 2 with rocket fire on Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran's supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes. Israel responded with heavy airstrikes and a ground invasion, and its forces now occupy large areas of southern Lebanon near the border
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