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Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have ordered the military to accelerate the demolition of Lebanese homes in front-line or “contact” villages.
Katz said the move is intended to “thwart threats against Israeli communities,” adding that it follows the “Beit Hanoun and Rafah model” used in Gaza.
He said Israeli forces are continuing ground operations in Lebanon “with full force” to eliminate Hezbollah fighters and reach anti-tank lines and key commanding positions to protect Israeli settlements.
Katz also said Israel would continue allowing the evacuation of residents from southern Lebanon northward to the Litani River for their protection.
He added that Israel is determined not to allow a return to the situation that existed before Oct. 7, saying the government had pledged to protect northern communities.
Katz said Israeli forces were instructed to immediately destroy all bridges over the Litani River used for what he described as “terrorist activity.”
He said the aim is to prevent the movement of Hezbollah fighters and weapons southward.
The measures come as Israel continues its military operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah.
Speaking after an Iranian missile strike in Arad, Netanyahu said Iran had targeted civilian areas, calling the attacks an attempt to use missiles as a “mass murder weapon.”
He said Iran also fired toward Jerusalem near key religious sites, including the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, adding that no damage occurred, but the intent was to target holy sites.
Netanyahu said Iran had launched a long-range ballistic missile at Diego Garcia, about 4,000 kilometers (2485.4 miles) away, and warned that Tehran now can reach deep into Europe, noting that Cyprus had already been targeted.
He also accused Iran of attempting to disrupt a key international maritime and energy route, describing it as an effort to “blackmail the entire world.”
Netanyahu said Israel and the U.S. are working together and called on other countries to join efforts against Iran, saying the campaign is aimed at global security.
Responding to questions, Netanyahu said Israel is acting “with great force,” targeting Iran’s leadership, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), military installations, and economic assets, not civilians.
He said Israel has defined two main goals: to completely dismantle Iran’s nuclear and missile programs and their production capabilities and to create conditions for political change in Iran.
Netanyahu added that Israel is acting in coordination with the United States, saying both sides are working together closely.
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