Israeli Defense Minister Yisroel Katz declared Monday night that Israel is “definitely not” operating under a ceasefire in Lebanon, warning that if Hezbollah continues firing at Israel, the IDF will launch powerful strikes against Beirut. He also revealed that more than 2 billion shekels have been allocated to combat the growing drone threat, with no budgetary limits imposed on the effort.

Katz made the remarks during an appearance on Channel 14’s “The Patriots,” just hours after President Donald Trump announced what he described as a ceasefire arrangement between Israel and Hezbollah. Katz rejected that characterization, stating that Israel remains fully prepared to escalate military operations if attacks continue.

Addressing the drone threat that has increasingly challenged Israeli defenses, Katz said Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu had instructed officials that funding would not be restricted in efforts to find solutions. He said both immediate and long-term technological measures are being developed to reduce the danger posed by enemy drones. He also praised residents of northern Israel for their resilience, saying their determination has enabled the government to continue its efforts to eliminate the threats facing the region.

Opening the interview, Katz highlighted the IDF’s recent achievements in Lebanon and stressed the importance of preserving Israel’s freedom to operate militarily throughout the country.

“We are operating in Lebanon with tremendous force. First and foremost, the soldiers—their heroism is extraordinary,” Katz said. “We must preserve two things: freedom of action inside Lebanon and the ability to eliminate terrorists and destroy infrastructure. We have that capability, and it was demonstrated by the recapture of the Beaufort fortress for the first time in 26 years. The Golani Brigade raised the Israeli flag over the Beaufort. Some are trying to downplay it, but it won’t help them. It has strategic significance on the ground and enormous symbolic importance in Hezbollah’s defeat.”

Katz emphasized that Israel’s approach toward Hezbollah has fundamentally changed and that there is no intention of halting military operations unless complete quiet is restored.

“The answer is no, we are definitely not in a ceasefire,” Katz said. “The Prime Minister and I committed that we would not allow harm to come to our communities, and we said all along that the Dahieh district would be treated the same as the communities of the north. If there is no quiet here, there will be no quiet there. Just because of our statement this morning, more than 600,000 residents evacuated from Dahieh because they take us seriously. They understand that if the shooting does not stop, we will strike Dahieh, evacuate it, and attack it with full force.”

The defense minister also described the extensive destruction inflicted on Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon as part of what he called Operation Silver Mortar.

“Today we control more than 600 square kilometers inside southern Lebanon,” Katz said. “The IDF is operating there with great strength, and all the villages along the border have been dismantled. We have already destroyed more than 10,000 of the 15,000 buildings there, and we will continue until the last house is destroyed. From our perspective, these are Hezbollah outposts, and we are demolishing them with engineering equipment and explosives. The objective is clear: to neutralize Hezbollah’s power, remove all terrorists from southern Lebanon, and continue acting against every threat the organization creates, with the backing of the President of the United States.”

Turning to the drone and UAV threat, Katz said Israel is investing heavily in new technologies to counter enemy systems that have proven difficult to intercept.

“A new challenge has emerged with fiber-guided drones that operate below the current technological threshold,” he said. “The Prime Minister said there is no budget limit, and more than 2 billion shekels have been allocated to find immediate tactical solutions. We will be the first country in the world to successfully defeat this threat. Every soldier who is injured breaks our hearts. We have an incredible nation and soldiers who are determined to move forward. When we are advancing and maneuvering, our achievements and protection are greater than when we remain stationary, and that is why we decided to reach every place necessary in Lebanon.”

Katz also addressed the situation in Gaza and Yehuda and Shomron, saying Hamas will not be permitted to govern Gaza in any capacity.

“Hamas will not control Gaza, neither civilly nor militarily. The real solution in Gaza is emigration. Most Gazans want to emigrate, and we are in discussions to renew that process,” he said.

Discussing future settlement plans, Katz referenced several former communities evacuated during the 2005 disengagement.

“As for settlement, Dugit, Nisanit, and Elei Sinai—at the appropriate time, Nahal pioneer groups will be able to move there,” he said. “We have already restored the communities in northern Shomron, approved 103 new communities, and the entire map will look different.”

Toward the end of the interview, Katz was asked about the controversy surrounding MK Tally Gotliv. He said he signed a secrecy order only after being told it was necessary to protect state security and members of the Shin Bet.

“The head of the Shin Bet came to me and said, ‘You must sign in order to prevent harm to state security,’ so I signed,” Katz explained.

He then sharply criticized the legal proceedings against Gotliv and pledged support for efforts to preserve her parliamentary immunity.

“The trial they want to conduct against her is disgraceful and discriminatory, and we will provide support to prevent the removal of her immunity,” Katz said. “To come and say that I am afraid of Gali Baharav-Miara? I’m not afraid of Khamenei and Sinwar, I’m not afraid of Miara, and certainly not of Tally Gotliv. All our energy should be directed outward against our enemies and toward supporting those who are doing the work.”

{Matzav.com}