Jerusalem, April 3 (NationPress) Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, emphasized on Friday that the primary goal of his country in Lebanon is to disarm Hezbollah through both military and political strategies. Following discussions with military leaders, Katz stated, "Israel’s approach in Lebanon has been unequivocal: our foremost aim is the disarmament of Hezbollah via military and political avenues, irrespective of the Iranian situation," as reported by 'The Times of Israel'.

Katz mentioned that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) are finalizing their ground offensive in southern Lebanon, reaching the border line from which Hezbollah is capable of launching anti-tank missile attacks against Israel.

“Structures in border villages of Lebanon, which effectively function as Hezbollah outposts, will be demolished following the Rafah and Khan Younis model applied in Gaza, to mitigate threats to Israeli communities,” he added.

Katz declared that the IDF will uphold security control in southern Lebanon up to the Litani River and will prevent the return of the 600,000 residents of southern Lebanon until the safety of northern residents is guaranteed, according to 'The Times of Israel'.

The IDF will persist in targeting Hezbollah leaders and operatives across Lebanon, in addition to the 1,000 terrorists already neutralized since the initiation of the current operation, Katz confirmed while stating that the IDF will “act decisively” against Hezbollah's rocket attacks on Israel. He reassured that Israel will continue to secure the safety of northern communities as previously committed.

Earlier in the day, IDF reported that 1,000 terrorists, including high-ranking commanders, have been killed and over 3,500 terror targets struck in the past month in Lebanon. The IDF also mentioned that bridges utilized for weapon transfers and enemy forces were targeted.

“In the last month in Lebanon: 1,000 terrorists neutralized - including senior commanders. Over 3,500 terror targets engaged. Five key bridges used for weapon transfer and enemy forces targeted. Significant assets and financial storage sites hit,” the IDF posted on X.

On April 1, the IDF announced that Hezbollah's Southern Front commander, Hajj Yusuf Ismail Hashem, was killed in a strike executed by the Israeli Navy in Beirut.

“Neutralized: Hajj Yusuf Ismail Hashem, the Commander of Hezbollah’s Southern Front. Hashem, eliminated by the Israeli Navy in a strike in Beirut, had over 40 years of experience and was a pivotal figure in Hezbollah, leading its rehabilitation and orchestrating attacks against Israel,” the IDF posted on X.