Netanyahu and Katz order Israeli army to halt operations in Lebanon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz on Saturday ordered the Israeli army to halt its operations in Lebanon while maintaining its positions, Israeli reports said.

Israel's army chief also ordered a ceasefire in Lebanon at the end of a security evaluation meeting, Israeli security sources told the Walla news portal.

Israel's Channel 12 said Netanyahu and Katz's decision "came in coordination with the U.S."

"The army enjoys freedom of action to eliminate threats in south Lebanon. If Hezbollah violates the ceasefire, the army will respond forcefully," Israeli security sources told Israel's public broadcaster.

"The army is operating freely within the Yellow Line in Lebanon," an Israeli official said.

"Instructions have been given to largely reduce acitivities in Lebanon and open fire only when there is a direct threat," a military source told Israel's Channel 13.

Netanyahu meanwhile stressed that Israel will remain in southern Lebanon "for as long as necessary to defend its northern border."

Netanyahu also instructed the army to respond forcefully to any Hezbollah attack and to act to remove threats against Israeli forces.

"In response to Hezbollah's attacks over the past two days, the IDF (army) struck 300 terror targets and eliminated approximately 100 terrorists," Netanyahu said in a statement.