Lead

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday that the military had been instructed to use 'full force' in Lebanon, even during the ongoing ceasefire, should Israeli troops face any threat. Katz announced the directive at a function in the occupied West Bank, saying, 'Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have instructed the IDF to act with full force, both on the ground and from the air, including during the ceasefire, in order to protect our soldiers in Lebanon from any threat.'

Coverage Comparison

Reports of the statement were carried by the Jerusalem Post, the South China Morning Post, and The Hindu. The South China Morning Post and The Hindu both highlighted Katz's instruction, while the Jerusalem Post provided additional context on diplomatic negotiations and the Lebanese government's response to Hezbollah. The framing across outlets was largely neutral, though the Jerusalem Post adopted a more critical tone toward Lebanon.

Key Claims

  • Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz instructed the military to use 'full force' in Lebanon during the ceasefire, a statement reported by multiple outlets.
  • The military was ordered to demolish booby-trapped structures and roads, according to Katz's remarks.
  • An Israeli soldier was killed in southern Lebanon on Friday after entering a booby-trapped building, as reported by the military.
  • The overarching goal of the campaign in Lebanon is the disarmament of Hezbollah, as stated by Katz.
  • The Lebanese government has not taken a single step against Hezbollah since the ceasefire went into effect, two Israeli officials told the Jerusalem Post.
  • Israel and Lebanon have been engaged in negotiations, including a face-to-face meeting between their respective ambassadors to the United States, with involvement from US President Donald Trump, according to the Jerusalem Post.
  • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told IDF generals that Israel has 'full freedom of action to foil immediate and emerging threats' in Lebanon.

Context and Further Details

Katz also said the military had been ordered to demolish any structure or roads that were 'booby-trapped' and threatened soldiers. 'The army would likewise remove the houses in the contact villages near the border that served in every respect as Hezbollah terror outposts and threatened Israeli communities,' he added. Later on Sunday, the army reported that its troops had killed an 'armed terrorist' who 'violated the ceasefire understandings by crossing the Forward Defence Line and approaching IDF soldiers, posing an immediate threat.'

Speaking to IDF generals on Monday, Netanyahu stressed that Israel was given 'full freedom of action to foil immediate and emerging threats,' adding that the IDF has struck Hezbollah targets beyond the Litani River. His remarks came amid ongoing negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, which for the first time included a face-to-face meeting between Israel's ambassador to the United States, Yehiel Leiter, and Lebanon's ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Mouwad. The most recent meeting last week was partially conducted with the involvement of US President Donald Trump. Israel and the United States are demanding that Lebanon begin taking action against the terrorist organization in parallel with the ceasefire, which was recently extended by three weeks.

Two Israeli officials told the Jerusalem Post that the Lebanese government has not taken a single step against Hezbollah since the ceasefire went into effect. 'There have been no arrests, no attempts to prevent attacks on our soldiers, and no effort to stop the rocket fire,' one official said. Israel's Defense Minister told the UN envoy to Lebanon that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is gambling with Lebanon's future, adding, 'There will be no reality in which a ceasefire...'