Katz threatens Iran over Lebanon, says army preparing for 'extended stay'

Israel's defense minister said that Israeli forces had been ordered to prepare for an extended stay in the so-called security zone in southern Lebanon, after Israel and Lebanon agreed on a framework to end hostilities.

"The prime minister and I have instructed the IDF (Israeli army) to prepare for an extended stay in the security zone," Israel Katz said in a video statement, referring to an area up to 10 kilometers inside the Lebanese territory.

"The important principle established in the agreement is that there will be no redeployment by Israel in southern Lebanon, no withdrawal, as long as the terrorist organization Hezbollah is not disarmed throughout Lebanon," he said.

Moreover, Katz vowed to respond with "great force" if Iran attacked Israel in an attempt to prevent the implementation of the Lebanon agreement.

"If Iran tries to attack Israel to prevent the implementation of the agreement, we will act against it with great force," Katz said, adding that the agreement with Lebanon had dealt a "strategic blow to the Iranian axis."