JAKARTA - Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that the campaign against the militant group Hezbollah was not over, just hours after a 10-day ceasefire was imposed in Lebanon.
He also warned that if the fighting continued, residents who had fled and returned to the country's war-torn south would have to flee again.
"The ground maneuver to Lebanon and the attack on Hezbollah has made much progress, but it is not yet complete," Israeli Defense Minister Katz said in a statement, launching Al Arabiya from AFP (17/4).
"There are still areas in the south that have not been cleared of Hizbullah militants, which must be done one way or another," he added.
"The area between the security zone and the Litani (River) line, which is currently under our control, has not been cleared of terrorists and weapons," Katz warned.
"This must be done through diplomatic means or with the continued activity of the IDF after the ceasefire ends," he said.
When the ceasefire took effect at midnight (21:00 GMT), thousands of displaced Lebanese civilians began heading south, hoping to return to their homes.
However, Katz said new fighting could force them to leave again.
"If the fighting continues, residents returning to the security zone must be evacuated so that the mission can be completed," he said.
According to the details of the ceasefire released by the US State Department, Israel reserves the right to continue targeting Hezbollah to prevent "planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks."
Israel, whose forces occupy parts of southern Lebanon, also said it would maintain a 10-kilometer (six-mile) security zone it has established along the border.
"The security zone has been cleared of militants and weapons, empty of residents, and will continue to be cleared of terrorist infrastructure, including the destruction of houses in frontline villages that have effectively become terrorist outposts," Katz said.
The details of the ceasefire also stipulate that Lebanon, "with international support will take meaningful steps to prevent Hezbollah" from carrying out any attacks against Israeli targets.
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