While a new ceasefire has come into force between Israel and Hezbollah, the Israeli army claims to maintain total operational freedom in southern Lebanon.
IDF spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin said Israeli forces continued operations against Hezbollah infrastructure, particularly in the Beaufort Castle area and on the Ali Taher Ridge.
These sectors are home to large networks of tunnels used by the Shiite organization as strategic command centers. The Israeli army intends to complete their destruction despite the entry into force of the truce.
“Hezbollah is waging a defensive battle to prevent our forces from completing the destruction of this infrastructure,” Effie Defrin said.
The spokesperson also blamed the Iranian-backed movement for the recent escalation.
“It was Hezbollah that violated the ceasefire. He is trying to protect the military capabilities he has built over the years,” he said.
Effie Defrin insisted that the troops deployed in southern Lebanon have “full freedom of action” to neutralize any threat targeting Israeli soldiers or the territory of the Jewish state.
“There are no limits when it comes to eliminating threats,” he added.
These statements come just after the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, negotiated with the support of the United States.
