As negotiations between the United States and Iran reportedly advance toward a potential breakthrough, Israeli officials are simultaneously signaling that military pressure on Hezbollah will continue unabated.
Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir approved new operational plans for the continuation of the military campaign on the northern front Sunday, signaling that Israel intends to maintain, and potentially intensify, pressure on Hezbollah in Lebanon despite growing diplomatic movement between Washington and Tehran.
According to the IDF, Zamir held a strategic assessment with the General Staff Forum in the Northern Command before approving plans for the next phase of operations.
During his visit to the headquarters of the 401st Brigade, Zamir reiterated that Israel remains fully prepared for an escalation if necessary. “The IDF continues to monitor regional developments and is prepared to return immediately to intense fighting,” Zamir said.
The Israeli military chief emphasized that operations against Hezbollah would continue across all dimensions, insisting that the protection of Israeli civilians and troops remains the top priority. “We continue to strike Hezbollah in all dimensions. I emphasize — the security of the residents and our forces comes above all.”
Zamir further stated that Israel is determined to deepen the damage inflicted on Hezbollah’s infrastructure and operational capabilities, describing the campaign as “systematic and consistent.”
Message to Hezbollah
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that any future agreement between the United States and Iran must directly address the broader regional threat posed by Tehran and its allied groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon.
In remarks published on X, Netanyahu said he agreed with U.S. President Donald Trump that any final deal with Iran must completely eliminate the nuclear threat by dismantling Iran’s enrichment facilities and removing enriched nuclear material from Iranian territory.
Netanyahu also stressed that Trump reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself “on all fronts, including Lebanon,” a statement widely interpreted as a reference to Hezbollah and the ongoing tensions along Israel’s northern border.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered sharp criticism of Iran’s regional activities, specifically accusing Tehran of prioritizing support for Hezbollah and Hamas over domestic investment and economic stability.
Speaking from India, Rubio said the United States had made “significant progress” regarding Iran after consultations with Gulf countries, while negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program continue. “Iran would rather be investing in Hezbollah and the rapists and murderers of Hamas than in their own people,” Rubio stated.
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