Defense Minister Katz says Israel won't withdraw from Hezbollah stronghold in southern Lebanon

Israel's Defense Minister, Benjamin Katz, stated that Israel will not withdraw from its security zone in southern Lebanon, which spans 700 square kilometers, until Hezbollah is disarmed throughout the nation. The zone stretches from the Mediterranean coastline through the Beaufort Castle area to Mount Hermon, including the Ali Taher ridge.

Katz informed that the military will retain control of the ridge after eliminating Hezbollah operatives and demolishing their tunnels, aiming to prevent the group or others from reestablishing a presence.

In a separate incident, Israeli settlers attacked and injured two Palestinians who ventured onto their land east of Salfit, according to Palestinian reports. This act follows a surge in settler attacks in the region over recent weeks, following the establishment of a new outpost in Area B of the West Bank, a territory under Israeli security control but Palestinian civil control.

Meanwhile, Iran threatened retaliation against the United States following Israel's drone attack on its East-West oil pipeline, which has put four percent of the global oil supply at risk. The Likud party accused the Joint List and the United Arab List of seeking disqualification from the upcoming election, stating that they have no place in the Knesset due to their support for IDF soldiers and their condemnation of Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations.