Categories: World

Israel’s new defense minister says country has defeated Hezbollah

close Video

Israeli forces go after Hamas and Hezbollah in multifront conflict

Fox News’ Greg Palkot reports from Israel.

Israel’s newly appointed minister of defense said Sunday his country has defeated Hezbollah, noting that the elimination of the Lebanese terrorist organization’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was the crowning achievement.

Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Sept. 27 when the Israel Defense Forces attacked the Iran-backed group’s headquarters in southern Beirut.

Late last month, the Israeli military also said it eliminated Hashem Safieddine, who was widely expected to take control of Hezbollah after Nasrallah was killed.

“Now it is our job to continue to put pressure in order to bring about the fruits of that victory,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday during a ceremony at Israel’s foreign ministry.

HEZBOLLAH CONFIRMS DEATH OF SENIOR COMMANDER IN LINE TO REPLACE HASSAN NASRALLAH

Israel Katz (Reuters/Florion Goga/File)

Katz added that Israel is not interested in meddling in internal Lebanese politics as Israel has “learned our lessons.” He also said he hoped an international coalition would capitalize on this opportunity, politically, and that Lebanon would join other countries in normalizing relations with Israel.

On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired his defense minister, Yoav Gallant, before later in the day announcing that Katz would be Gallant’s replacement.

The move came as Israel is engaged in multiple conflicts, fighting Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as exchanging long-range blows with Iran.

ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU FIRES DEFENSE MINISTER YOAV GALLANT

IDF troops fight Hezbollah terrorists in southern Lebanon. (IDF Spokesman’s Unit)

In later remarks to the media, Gallant said he and Netanyahu disagreed on three issues: the drafting of Haredi men into the army; getting the hostages home; a state commission of inquiry into the intelligence failures prior to the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.

Israeli forces launched airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Sunday, again striking the neighborhood where Safieddine was killed last month.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Hezbollah also launched multiple rockets into northern Israel and claimed credit for a drone attack that damaged Netanyahu’s home.

Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom and Reuters contributed to this report.

Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.

Story tips and ideas can be sent to Greg.Wehner@Fox.com and on Twitter @GregWehner.

Share

Recent Posts

Rick Scott gains new Senate endorsements out of candidate forum on eve of leader election

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., earned two more endorsements following what Republican senators described as a…

1 hour ago

Elon Musk says ‘all actions’ taken by Department of Government Efficiency will be online: ‘Transparency’

Elon Musk, who was selected by President-elect Donald Trump to head the Department of Government…

1 hour ago

Trump, defying media predictions, mainly picks seasoned Capitol Hill veterans such as Marco Rubio

The media warned for months that Donald Trump would have "no guardrails" in a second…

1 hour ago

Mutiny threat sparks House GOP infighting ahead of Trump visit: ‘Just more stupid’

Tensions were high among House Republicans on Tuesday with a group of GOP hardliners threatening…

4 hours ago

Trump nominates Mike Huckabee for US ambassador to Israel

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is the choice to be the next U.S. ambassador to…

4 hours ago

Trump confirms Mike Waltz as National Security Adviser pick

President-elect Trump formerly announced on Tuesday that he selected Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., to join…

4 hours ago