‘There is no ceasefire’ with Hezbollah, says IDF chief

Zamir: “We take the initiative, operate, and strike every threat.”

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said Tuesday that Israel does not consider itself bound by a ceasefire in Lebanon and will continue military operations against threats as a fifth round of talks between Israel and Lebanon takes place in Washington.

Speaking during a visit to a naval base in Haifa, Zamir said the military would continue taking offensive action whenever necessary and emphasized the role of the Israeli Navy in ongoing operations.

“We take the initiative, operate, and strike every threat,” Zamir said, adding that the Navy remains an active partner in military operations.

He said Israel is seeking to maximize its operational freedom and will act whenever opportunities arise to eliminate threats to civilians and soldiers.

Zamir also said the Israel Defense Forces remains prepared to resume combat operations against Iran if required.

He described the Navy as a key component of Israel’s ability to conduct future strikes against what he called the Iranian terror regime while continuing to protect Israel’s sovereignty, maritime borders and civilian population.

His remarks came as diplomatic efforts continued in Washington, where Israeli and Lebanese representatives are participating in a fifth round of talks aimed at addressing the conflict along the northern border.

Despite those discussions, hostilities have continued, with Hezbollah launching drones and Israel carrying out retaliatory strikes.

At the same time, a senior Hezbollah official rejected reports of a proposed arrangement that would limit fighting between the sides.

Mahmoud Qomati, deputy head of Hezbollah’s political council, said the group would not accept a reported framework tied to halting attacks and limiting military activity around Beirut’s southern suburbs.

According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, which cited a written statement from Qomati received by AFP, the Hezbollah official warned that any Israeli military action targeting Beirut’s southern suburbs would provoke a stronger reaction from the organization.

Qomati said Hezbollah would reject the reported proposal and warned that any Israeli “aggression against” Beirut’s southern suburbs could result in “a deeper and stronger response” from the group.

The statements highlighted the continuing gap between diplomatic efforts underway in Washington and the positions publicly expressed by military and political leaders on both sides of the conflict.