2026-04-21T08:52:18+00:00

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Shafaq News- Middle East

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Tuesday that Hezbollah
Secretary-General Naim Qassem would “pay with his head,” vowing to
dismantle the group, as a second round of Lebanon-Israel negotiations is set to
open in Washington.

Speaking at a state memorial ceremony in Jerusalem, Katz said Israeli
forces are currently deployed in Lebanon in a security zone extending up to 10
kilometers from the Lebanese border, from the Mediterranean coast to the
foothills of Mount Hermon, and are working to prevent cross-border raids,
anti-tank fire, and “terrorist infrastructure.” He added that the area up to
the Litani River must be fully demilitarized.

“The overarching goal of the campaign in Lebanon is to disarm
Hezbollah and remove the threat to northern communities, through a combination
of military and diplomatic measures,” Katz said, adding that Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had instructed the military to continue operating
“with full force, on land and in the air,” including during the
ceasefire.

Read more: Ceasefire without sovereignty: how Lebanon’s fragmented power blocks a peace with Israel

The United States prepares to host a second round of ambassador-level
talks between Lebanon and Israel on April 23. Washington described the initial
engagement, held on April 14, as “productive” —the first such contact
between the two sides since 1993.

Lebanon has appointed a delegation led by former ambassador to the
United States Simon Karam, tasked with pursuing an end to hostilities,
addressing Israeli occupation, and enabling deployment of the Lebanese army
along the southern border.

The negotiations are taking place under a US-brokered ceasefire that
came into effect on April 17 for an initial 10-day period, with the option of
extension by mutual agreement. Under its terms, Beirut is required to prevent
attacks against Israel and ensure that official security forces are the sole
authority responsible for security, while Israel retains the right to act in
self-defense.

Despite the ceasefire, Lebanese media reported
continued Israeli activity in southern Lebanon, including detonations in
al-Qussair, Deir Seryan, al-Taybeh, and Shamaa, as well as a drone strike near
the Litani River close to Qaquaiyet al-Jisr.

Since hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah began on March 2, Israeli
strikes have killed 2,294 people and injured 7,544 others, including 177
children and 274 women among the dead, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.