Katz: Israel to maintain control of captured areas amid Lebanon ceasefire

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will retain control over areas it has taken during its ground operations in Lebanon, as a newly announced 10-day ceasefire comes into effect.

“The IDF holds and will continue to hold all the areas it has cleared and captured,” Katz said, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

He added that military operations against Hezbollah remain ongoing despite battlefield gains.

“The ground maneuver into Lebanon and the strikes against Hezbollah throughout Lebanon have achieved many accomplishments, but they are not yet complete.”

The comments come as a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon takes effect, allowing displaced civilians to begin returning to their homes after weeks of fighting. However, the terms of the truce have raised questions about its durability and scope.

However, Clash Report wrote that "terms effectively allow Israel to continue striking inside Lebanon at will, raising questions over whether the truce signals real de-escalation."

By Sabina Mammadli