NEW DELHI, July 1 (ANI) — Israel will continue military operations against Hezbollah despite the existing ceasefire framework with Lebanon, Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel said Wednesday, arguing that the Iran-backed group continues to pose a direct security threat and that lasting stability in Lebanon is impossible unless Hezbollah is disarmed.
In a virtual interview with ANI, Haskel said Israel’s military operations would continue as long as Hezbollah attacks Israeli territory, asserting that both Israel and Lebanon share an interest in dismantling the group’s military capabilities.
“If Hezbollah continues to attack Israel, we will continue to defend our people, our communities and our forces,” she said.
“There is nothing more that we want to see than this Iranian terrorist army out of Lebanon, and there is nothing more that the Lebanese government wants to see than this terrorist organization gone and disarmed.”
Describing Hezbollah as an extension of Iran’s influence, Haskel said the group’s continued presence amounted to “an Iranian occupation of Lebanon,” adding that the solution was “very, very simple — get Iran out of Lebanon.”
Her remarks come as Israel and Lebanon work to implement a new security framework aimed at reducing cross-border hostilities. One of its central provisions calls for the eventual disarmament of Hezbollah, a commitment that has appeared in previous international agreements, including those following the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, but has never been fully implemented.
Asked whether Israel would continue military operations despite the framework, Haskel said the mechanism was intended to facilitate cooperation with the Lebanese government but would not prevent Israel from acting if Hezbollah continued its attacks.
“The framework is a framework on how we can cooperate… but wherever the Lebanese army is too weak to defend their country against this terrorist army, we will have to stand,” she said.
When asked whether the latest initiative could finally result in Hezbollah’s disarmament despite previous failures, Haskel acknowledged the challenge but said Israel would continue pursuing that goal.
“We will continue again and again to partner with nations that seek to fight radical Islamist terrorist organizations,” she said. “Whenever the Lebanese army is too weak to stand against Hezbollah, this is a place where we will have to step up.”
Haskel rejected criticism that Israeli military operations in Lebanon have resulted in an unacceptable humanitarian toll. Responding to casualty figures released by Lebanon’s Health Ministry, she disputed the numbers and argued that Hezbollah initiated the current conflict by attacking Israel following Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault.
According to Haskel, Israel initially exercised restraint before targeting Hezbollah positions and has focused its operations on the group’s military infrastructure rather than Lebanese state institutions.
“Israel is targeting Hezbollah headquarters, tunnels, missile launchers and massive warehouses,” she said. “We give warnings. We take every precaution possible. War is terrible, but we will defend our people.”
Addressing differences between Israel and the United States over Lebanon policy, Haskel acknowledged that disagreements can exist between allies but said both governments ultimately share the objective of countering militant groups in the region.
Referring to the U.S.-brokered diplomatic process involving Lebanon, she praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio for advancing negotiations while emphasizing that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains focused on Israel’s security interests.
“President Trump is looking after the interests of the American people. Prime Minister Netanyahu has the same responsibility to the Israeli people,” she said.
Haskel also expressed skepticism about ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations, saying Israel remains deeply distrustful of Tehran’s leadership. While noting that the current document is only a negotiating framework rather than a final agreement, she voiced concern that any financial relief could strengthen Iran.
“I don’t have a lot of optimism with what I see,” she said. “Iran is a violent and aggressive regime… India should be alarmed as well.”
Responding to allegations of war crimes and genocide in Gaza, Haskel dismissed casualty figures released by Hamas-run authorities, questioned the reliability of information cited by international organizations, and defended Israel’s military campaign as a response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack.
She argued that responsibility for the humanitarian situation ultimately rests with Hamas and called for the group’s disarmament before any further implementation of ceasefire arrangements.
Asked whether upcoming Israeli elections could alter the country’s military posture in Gaza, Lebanon, or toward Iran, Haskel rejected suggestions that Israel’s security policy is driven by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s political future.
“The policies of defending our country and our communities are not going to change because of the election,” she said. “It doesn’t matter who is going to be elected. Israel is a democracy, but on defending the country, there is broad consensus.”
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