After Serang Beirut, Israel Claims To Remain Committed To Ceasefire

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir (right) while in the bottom command center room of the IDF when the attack took place on November 23 (Source: IDF)

JAKARTA - Israel will continue to crack down on its threats, but remain committed to a ceasefire, following an attack that killed senior Hezbollah militant group officials, officials said.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched an attack on Beirut, Lebanon on Sunday, claiming to have killed Chief of Military Staff Hezbollah Haytham Ali Tabatabai. Later, Hezbollah confirmed the death of the de facto commander.

Israeli Defense Minister Katz said Israel would continue to crack down on those who threatened, after the attack in Beirut.

"We will continue to act decisively to prevent any threats to residents in the north and State of Israel," Defense Minister Katz said in a statement released by his office.

"Whoever raises his hand against Israel, that hand will be cut off," Katz said, adding, along with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he "strengthened to continue maximum law enforcement policies in Lebanon and anywhere else."

Defense Minister Katz added he would not allow Israel to return to the situation before October 7, 2023.

Separately, the IDF said it would not allow Hezbollah to rebuild its power, but would remain committed to a ceasefire agreement.

"We attacked the most senior commander in the Hezbollah terror organization. The attack was intended to prevent the development of the organization and specifically target those trying to harm the State of Israel," he said at the IDF underground command center during the attack, according to a statement made by the military.

"The IDF remains committed to the agreed understanding between the State of Israel and Lebanon, but we will not allow the terror organization Hezbollah to grow stronger and re-armed, and we will act to eliminate any threats to Israeli citizens," he added.