As the diplomatic track pushes through the enforcement of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Iran and America, Israel continues to define its red lines, regardless of pressure coming from its allies or its enemies.

Israel wants to make peace with the Lebanese government at this time, but not at the expense of more IDF casualties, which were high this week inside Lebanon.  The IDF will continue to protect Israel’s northern border communities at risk.

Israel refuses to adhere to the demands of a ceasefire, until Hezbollah stops its attacks and submits to a ceasefire. There is also no indication that the IDF will pull out of Lebanon any time soon.

Defense Minister, Israel Katz, says there is no restriction on IDF soldiers in Lebanon, and they will continue to act to eliminate threats. Following the latest attacks on IDF forces, Israel responded with great force, thwarting a large number of Hezbollah terrorists and damaging numerous terrorist infrastructures.

Katz has reminded the international community that the lives of Israeli soldiers and citizens is Israel’s top priority. He explains that the IDF is deployed and operating in the Security Zone, along the Yellow Line in Lebanon. He emphatically states, “As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have made it clear: Israel will not withdraw from the Security Zone in Lebanon.”

It’s not expected that this position will change until the Lebanese government acts to disarm Hezbollah, or until Hezbollah stops killing and wounding Israeli soldiers, and threatening citizens living in Israel’s north.

Lt. Col. (res.) Sarit Zehavi, Founder and President of ALMA research and education center, is a military expert living close to Israel’s northern border. She explains what has led up to the current escalation with Hezbollah. “They played for the Iranians. Each time there was a lot of pressure on Iran to agree to what Trump wanted, Hezbollah escalated the attacks here. Then, the Iranians got more of what they wanted. That is how they got a deal which is very good for the Iranians, and very bad news for western civilization.”

The escalation includes attacks against Israel’s northern communities, with the goal of causing citizens to eventually flee for safety. Without citizens living in their homes, Israel’s sovereignty is threatened in the north.

Meanwhile, Zehavi explains how the IDF is operating in Lebanon: “We’re not using force just to use force. We’re using force against a specific target. If there is no terror, there is no use of force. It’s very simple. Hezbollah is not an official army of the state of Lebanon. It’s a terrorist organization following the........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)