Israeli defense minister says war against Iran 'far from over'

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that the war against Iran is far from over, warning that the IDF is prepared to strike with "great force" amid renewed clashes and the collapse of a ceasefire.

His remarks followed statements by US President Donald Trump that Washington would continue to hit Iran hard after overnight strikes on Iranian targets, which came in response to the downing of a US Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at an event reported by Yedioth Ahronoth daily, Katz stated: "The campaign against Iran is far from over." He added that "the IDF (army) is prepared to strike Iran with great force," noting that "the Middle East is changing before our eyes."

Operations in Lebanon expand

Katz also said that Israeli forces evacuated a Christian neighborhood in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre during the past day while targeting Hezbollah operatives allegedly sheltering in the area. "We operate deep inside Lebanon against the Hezbollah terrorist organization, which acts on behalf of the Iranian regime, and we are dealing it severe blows," he said. He warned that "if Iran attacks Israel, it will suffer a severe blow just as we did several days ago," referring to recent weekend strikes between the two countries.

Regional ceasefire stalls

The neighborhood in northwestern Tyre contains churches and heritage buildings reflecting the city's diverse character. Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for the area last week, alleging Hezbollah activity and violations of a truce. A temporary ceasefire reached on April 8 has since stalled amid disputes over implementation, while the region has remained on edge since the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran in late February.