Israeli Defense Minister: No restrictions on soldiers in Lebanon

Over the weekend five IDF soldiers were killed following drone and missile attacks on troops in the area.

By Pesach Benson, TPS

As talks between Iranian and Pakistani negotiators reportedly began in Switzerland on Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said there were “no restrictions” on Israeli soldiers in Lebanon.

“There was and is no restriction on [Israel Defense Forces] soldiers in Lebanon to act to eliminate threats,” Katz said.

“Following the attack on our forces, the IDF responded with great force, thwarting a very large number of Hezbollah terrorists and damaging numerous terrorist infrastructures. Preserving the lives of our soldiers and citizens is a top and absolute priority,” he added.

On Saturday, an Israeli soldier was killed and 13 others injured during a Hezbollah rocket and drone barrage on their position in the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Tebnit.

The IDF responded with strikes on Hezbollah targets in nearby Nabatieh.

Meanwhile, Israeli media reported on Sunday that troops cornered 30 Hezbollah gunmen in an underground tunnel in that area.

On Friday, four soldiers were killed when their tank was struck by either an explosive drone or an anti-tank missile.

Fighting over the weekend followed a Wednesday memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran.

Under the agreement, Tehran committed to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington agreed to lift its blockade on Iranian ships and ports.

On Saturday, just days after the waterway was reportedly reopened, Iran’s central military command announced it had closed the strait again, claiming Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon constituted a violation of the agreement.

The U.S. military rejected that claim, saying the Strait of Hormuz was remained open.

Israel is not a party to the memorandum of understanding.