Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that any drone or rocket fire directed at Israel will trigger strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut. Katz stated that Israel could extend its occupation toward the Litani and Nabatieh regions if the Lebanese group Hezbollah participates in an Iranian attack.
Residents in any newly captured territory would be evacuated so Israel can permanently incorporate those areas into its security zone in Lebanon. The minister ruled out an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed across the entire country.
Israeli forces have demolished 23,000 homes and more than 60 Lebanese villages. A 700-square-kilometre security zone has been established by Israel inside Lebanon, displacing approximately 200,000 residents.
Military delegations from Lebanon and Israel met on 21 October for United States-mediated talks at the US Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Florida. Attacks by Israel on Lebanon have occurred since 2 March, killing and injuring thousands while displacing over 1.5 million people.
A US-sponsored framework agreement was signed by Lebanon and Israel on 26 June to provide for a gradual Israeli withdrawal, the deployment of the Lebanese army, and the disarmament of Hezbollah.
