Operation Roaring Lion will not only include striking Iran but also will end with "Hezbollah suffering a devastating blow," IDF Chief Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir vowed during a briefing with IDF division commanders at the northern border on Monday.
"The Lebanese government and Lebanese Armed Forces have been warned numerous times to disarm Hezbollah recently. They did not act, and so we know how to defend ourselves with our own means. We will end this campaign with not just Iran being struck but with Hezbollah suffering a devastating blow," Zamir stated.
"We will continue to insist that Hezbollah be disarmed - this is a demand we will not relinquish. The IDF will not conclude the campaign before the threat from Lebanon is eliminated," he added.
Zamir approved plans for continuing operations in Lebanon, instructing that the "offensive effort and defensive posture in northern Israel and across the border should be augmented," the military noted.
"Our core effort is focused on Iran. We are operating with force and striking the terrorist regime in unprecedented coordination with the US military," Zamir told the commanders. "After Hezbollah opened fire, I instructed that we act with force against Hezbollah as well. The IDF has planned and is prepared to operate in multiple arenas simultaneously."
"The IDF is on the front line, defending our communities and striking to remove threats. The protection of residents is our top priority - there will be no further evacuation of communities in Israel," Zamir added.
IDF strikes over 70 Hezbollah weapons storage facilities, launch sites, missile launchers, on Monday
At the time, the IDF published Zamir's statement on Monday, the military also announced that it was conducting further strikes against the terror group across Lebanon.
On Monday evening, the IDF provided further details, including that it targeted and struck over 70 weapons storage facilities, launch sites, and missile launchers, belonging to the Iran-backed terrorists.
IDF kills senior PIJ terrorist in Beirut strikes, terror group says
The IDF killed senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist Adham Adnan al-Othman, also known as "Abu Hamza" in airstrikes on Dahiyeh, Beirut on Monday at dawn, the terror group announced on Monday evening.
Othman was the commander of PIJ's so-called military wing, the al-Quds Brigade, in Lebanon.
Dahiyeh is a suburb in southern Beirut, with a strong Hezbollah presence.