Israel Affirms Determination To Achieve Its Goal In Lebanon, Hezbollah Ready For Long-Term War

Israeli military operations in Lebanon. (Source: Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - Israel is determined to achieve its war goal in Lebanon, while the militant group Hezbollah has declared its readiness for a long-term war, as the death toll from the conflict on the Lebanese border continues to grow.

Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz said there would be "no ceasefire and no pause in Lebanon" until the purpose of war was achieved.

In a tweet on X Katz, Israel's offensive actions "must continue to weaken Hezbollah's capabilities and win."

"We will continue to attack Hezbollah with full force until the goal of war is achieved," he tweeted, launching The Times of Israel November 12.

"Israel will not agree to any agreement that does not guarantee its right to uphold and prevent terrorism independently, ensuring the war's goals in Lebanon are achieved, including stripping Hezbollah, pushing them out of the Litani River, and allowing residents of the north to return to their homes safely," he continued.

בהמשך פגישתי אתמול עם פורום מטכ"ל הדגשתי את מדיניות ישראל לגבי לבנון:

הפעילות המזהירה והעוצמתית שבוצעה ע"י צה"ל וגופי הביטחון מול החיזבאללה וחיסול נסראללה מהווים תמונת ניצחון וצריך להמשיך את הפעילות ההתקפית, כדי להוסיף ולגרוע את יכולות החיזבאללה ולממש את פירות הניצחון.

בלבנון… pic.twitter.com/ALTCOqD3IG

— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) November 12, 2024

just

"Let's take care of it"

good luck... pic.twitter.com/ALTCOqD3IG

Earlier, speaking on Hari Syuhada, media relations official Hezbollah Mohammad Afif stressed that resistance groups were ready at all levels for a long war with Israel, denying all Lebanese claims of accepting proposals for a constructive ceasefire.

Afif responded to Israel's claims of a reduced Hezbollah missile by saying to look at the reality on the ground, referring to rocket launches to the outskirts of Tel Aviv and Haifa, to targeting several military bases in Golan and occupied Haifa.

Afif reiterated the readiness of the Resistance, by ensuring the fighters on the front lines have more than enough weapons, equipment and supplies to survive a long war, whose preparations continue to be made at all levels. "We are ready for a prolonged war with occupations at all levels, both at the front lines (south) and internal front lines," he stressed, as quoted by Al Mayadeen.

According to Afif, after 45 days of deadly fighting, the deployment of five military units, two brigades, and 65,000 troops, the Israeli occupation failed to occupy a single village in Lebanon.

He stressed, "Khiam's epic battle" is just a testament to the heroism, resilience and unshakable determination of the resistance fighters.

Regarding the announcement of Israeli occupation forces about the expansion of the land invasion of Lebanon, Afif said the invasion had expanded, while suggesting the occupation had not set any military targets for its war to avoid mistakes it made in 2006.

Regarding media reports regarding international discussions for the ceasefire, Afif denied Lebanon had accepted any specific proposals.

"Until now, Lebanon has not received the latest news, and we are still assessing the situation. What we hear is limited to the media and the press," he said.

Separately, the Lebanese Ministry of Health announced Monday that the death toll in the country had reached 3,240, while injuries had reached 14,134, since the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict broke out last October, quoted from Anadolu.

Hezbollah and Israel were involved in cross-border attacks the day after the Israeli conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip broke out on October 7, 2023.

Behind that, Israel has launched a massive air campaign in Lebanon since late September against what it claims is Hezbollah's target, with Israel recently carrying out land operations in southern Lebanon on October 1.