Defense Minister Yisrael Katz denied at noon (Sunday) reports of restrictions imposed on the activities of IDF fighters in Lebanon - and clarified that the forces continue to work to eliminate threats against Israel.
Katz said: "There was and is no restriction on IDF soldiers in Lebanon from acting to remove threats.""
He said, "Following the attack on our forces, the IDF responded with great force, thwarting a very large number of Hezbollah terrorists and damaging many terrorist infrastructures.".
The Defense Minister emphasized: "Preserving the lives of our soldiers and citizens is a top and absolute priority." He added and noted that "all of the IDF's achievements in the campaign in Lebanon are preserved, with our forces deployed in the security zone on the Yellow Line in Lebanon and operating from there inland against terrorists and terrorist infrastructures.".
Katz later addressed the ceasefire arrangement and clarified that Israel does not intend to withdraw from the territory held by the IDF: "The ceasefire announced yesterday leaves the IDF in all positions in the security zone that protects the northern settlements. As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have made clear: Israel will not withdraw from the security zone in Lebanon.".
Katz's comments come against the backdrop of a report this morning on the IDF Radio Station, according to which the IDF dramatically reduced the scope of attacks in southern Lebanon in the past week following a significant tightening of the fire policy.
According to the report, at the beginning of last week, the Northern Command received instructions for an almost complete cessation of fire in southern Lebanon.
As part of the change, attacks that were previously approved at the levels of division commander and major general were transferred to the approval of the Chief of Staff only, and in some cases even required approval from the political echelon.
It was also reported that the worsening policy began even before the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, after United States President Donald Trump announced progress towards an agreement.
Officers who spoke to Galei Tzahal criticized the new policy, claiming that the restrictions make it difficult to strike Hezbollah terrorists and thwart threats in areas adjacent to the ground forces.
According to them, reducing attacks also harms the ability to protect the forces operating in the field.
Amit Segal, Channel 12's political commentator, responded to the Defense Minister's statement: "Soldiers on the Yellow Line describe a completely different reality, according to which approvals at the highest levels are required to act against terrorists who are being watched or suspicious movements.".
