Israeli Defense Minister Katz Threatens To Destroy Hezbollah's 'Head' If It Violates The Armed Armistice

Israeli Defense Minister Katz visited IDF troops in southern Lebanon on Sunday. (Ariel Hermoni/Ministry of Defense)

JAKARTA - Israel's defense minister said it would destroy Hezbollah's 'head' if the militant group violated the ceasefire agreement while visiting Israeli military positions in southern Lebanon on Sunday.

"We have removed the snake's horn, and if Hezbollah does not back down past Litani (River) and tries to violate the ceasefire, we will destroy his 'head'," Defense Minister Katz said in a statement issued by his office, reported by The Times of Israel December 23.

"We will not allow Hezbollah members to return to southern villages and rebuild terror infrastructure which will pose a threat to the northern community," he continued.

"We will ensure the removal of threats and security recovery to allow the northern population to return safely to their homes," Katz added.

Lebanon, Israel, and mediator countries signed a ceasefire on November 26 and came into force a day later to end the 14-month conflict.

The ceasefire, which took effect at 04.00 local time or 09.00 WIB, Wednesday, November 27, implemented a deal brokered by the US and France which is expected to stop fighting for 60 days, as quoted by CNN.

Under the agreement, the Lebanese Armed Forces will be deployed to southern Lebanon within 60 days, and during that time Israel will gradually withdraw its remaining troops.

The agreement also required Hezbollah to move its troops to the north of the Litani River.

Earlier this month, Defense Minister Katz said the Israeli military was ready to strike non-Hezbollah's targets if the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah fails.

However, since the beginning of this month Israel has committed a number of violations by carrying out attacks on a number of targets in southern Lebanon.

Most recently, Israeli forces reportedly carried out another violation of the ceasefire by attacking a number of areas in Lebanon last week.

Separately, Lebanese Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem earlier last week said the ceasefire agreement with Israel was aimed at ending aggression, not resistance.