Katz warns ceasefire in jeopardy if Hezbollah doesn't withdraw beyond Litani

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Sunday that if Hezbollah does not withdraw beyond the Litani River “there will be no agreement,” and Israel will be forced to act.

“Israel is interested in the implementation of the agreement in Lebanon and will continue to enforce it fully and without compromise to ensure the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes,” Katz said during a visit to a military base in northern Israel where the army has set up a display of captured Hezbollah weapons.

“But the first condition for the implementation of the agreement is the complete withdrawal of the Hezbollah terror organization beyond the Litani River, the dismantling of all weapons, and the [removal] of the terror infrastructure in the area by the Lebanese Army, something that hasn’t happened yet,” he added.

“If this condition is not met, there will be no agreement, and Israel will be forced to act independently to ensure the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes,” Katz went on to say.