JERUSALEM -- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday the military has launched a new operation to demolish all homes in the villages along the Israel-Lebanon border, as fighting continues in the area.

Speaking to troops during a visit to southern Lebanon, Katz said Israeli forces would not withdraw unless Hezbollah's rocket fire toward northern Israel stops.

"We decided that we are not leaving the north anymore," he said. "We will continue this, and the goal is to disarm Hezbollah."

Katz said residents south of the Litani River would not be allowed to return. "All residents ... will not return south of the Litani River," he said, adding they would be barred from returning until security for northern Israel is guaranteed.

He said the operation was dubbed "The Silver Plough," under which, he said, all homes in the area would be demolished because they are repeatedly used as "terror outposts," without providing evidence. "We simply eliminate the threat," he added.

He compared the plan to large-scale demolitions in Gaza, citing Rafah and Beit Hanoun, where almost entire neighborhoods were leveled and other areas heavily damaged.

Hezbollah entered the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran on March 2 by launching rockets from southern Lebanon toward Israel for the first time since a ceasefire on Nov 27, 2024, prompting Israel to carry out an intensified military campaign targeting multiple areas across the country.

A two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States took effect on Wednesday. Israel said it would abide by the truce but argued the agreement does not apply to Lebanon. That assertion was rejected by Iran and by mediator Pakistan.