Defense Minister Katz: Israel Is Preparing for the Possibility of Renewed War With Iran

Defense Minister Israel Katz made clear today (Monday) that, from Israel’s perspective, the possibility of another flare-up with Iran remains very real. According to him, in light of the security developments and the continuing activity in Lebanon, the IDF is required to prepare for the possibility of renewed fighting with Iran as well: "The directive to the IDF is to prepare for a blue-and-white operation in Iran." 

Katz added that Israel will respond to any direct threat from the Islamic Republic: "If we have definitive information about the Iranians’ decisions, we will make use of it. If Iran attacks us with missiles, we will respond with force, and this was made clear to the Americans."

The defense minister detailed that, from Israel’s point of view, there are two possible scenarios for renewed fighting: "The war with Iran will resume in two options: if Trump decides and we join, and the second option — if they fire at us, it will be the third Iran war. Israel’s position is clear: there is no reality in which Israel will allow missile fire on its territory."

Later, Katz revealed that during the last operation there were additional parties that were supposed to join the fighting against Iran, but in the end it did not happen: "During the last operation there were external parties that were supposed to enter the war in Iran, and in the end they were not allowed to enter. Turkish President Erdogan was afraid to respond to the fire on his territory in the war with Iran."

Katz also addressed the campaign in Lebanon and *Hezbollah*, and argued that the organization’s secretary-general, Naim Qassem, chose to join the confrontation for two reasons: "Naim Qassem, *Hezbollah’s* secretary-general, joined this campaign for two reasons — the first reason was to help the Iranians, and the second reason was to change the equation in the north, where the IDF attacks and he does not."

According to him, the reality created in southern Lebanon has completely changed the face of the border area. He said that almost all the houses in the frontline villages in the western and central sectors were destroyed, and that about 200,000 residents have still not returned to their homes: "200,000 residents who lived in this area have not returned to their homes; a resident who tries to return will not be able to do so." He added that "the IDF was instructed to fire warning shots at anyone who returns. The population is equivalent to terror and casualties, therefore the population will not be allowed to return."

The defense minister also addressed the contacts between Jerusalem and Washington during the campaign, and said he was present for four calls between U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to him, "Trump tried to link the Lebanon and Iran arenas because Iran was applying very heavy pressure." Katz noted that he did not participate in the fifth call, but said the American president continued to insist on linking the two arenas, out of an American interest. As a result, he said, Israel moved to "Plan B," which included deepening the yellow line alongside the return of residents to the Dahieh quarter in Beirut and to some areas in southern Lebanon.

According to Katz, the decision to stop the continuation of activity in Lebanon prevented the IDF from carrying out a significant continued offensive move against *Hezbollah*: "The halt prevented an enormous blow that the IDF had planned to continue delivering to *Hezbollah*. Linking the arenas saved *Hezbollah* from a terrible blow, perhaps even its collapse."

At the same time, the defense minister made clear that Israel does not intend to withdraw from the security zone in southern Lebanon as long as *Hezbollah* continues to operate in the area: "In any case, we would not have withdrawn, and we will not do so in the future either as long as *Hezbollah* is here."

Katz added: "We have no territorial ambitions in Lebanon. The Lebanese army will have to do the work in the place from which the IDF exits; in the IDF they will have to confirm that this has happened and that *Hezbollah* is not in the places from which it withdraws. The mission right now is to remove *Hezbollah* from the Litani area." He concluded by emphasizing: "I am under no illusion — whoever will ultimately have to do this work is the IDF."