Israel threatens to return to conflict in Lebanon and goal the state itself if its truce with Hezbollah collapses

Israel last night threatened to return to war in Lebanon and target the state itself if its truce with Hezbollah collapses after the deadliest day since a ceasefire was agreed.

In its strongest threat since last week’s deal to end 14 months of conflict, Israel said it would hold Lebanon responsible for failing to disarm militants who violate the ceasefire. 

‘If we return to war we will act strongly… there will no longer be an exemption for the state of Lebanon,’ said defence minister Israel Katz.

Israeli forces have continued strikes against what they claim are Hezbollah fighters ignoring the agreement to halt attacks and withdraw beyond the Litani River, about 18 miles from the border. 

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said any infraction of the truce would be punished

Smoke rises over Beirut following an Israeli strike on November 26. Israel last night threatened to return to war in Lebanon and target the state itself if its truce with Hezbollah collapses after the deadliest day since a ceasefire was agreed

On Monday, Hezbollah shelled an Israeli military post, while Lebanese authorities said 12 people were killed in Israeli air strikes on Lebanon. Another person was killed yesterday by a drone strike, Lebanon said.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said any infraction of the truce would be punished. ‘We are enforcing this ceasefire with an iron fist,’ he said. ‘We are currently in a ceasefire, I note, a ceasefire, not the end of the war.’

Beirut officials urged the US and France to press Israel to uphold the ceasefire. Caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati, quoted by a Lebanese news agency, said diplomatic communications had intensified since Monday to stop Israeli ‘violations’.

The US State Department said on Monday the truce ‘is holding’.