Israeli army chief visits south Lebanon, vows strikes beyond 'Yellow Line'

Israel's military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir vowed to strike Hezbollah targets north of Lebanon's Litani River and beyond the so-called "Yellow Line" during a visit to south Lebanon on Wednesday.

"Any threat, anywhere, against our communities or our forces -- including beyond the Yellow Line and north of the Litani -- will be eliminated," Zamir said, according to a military statement issued after his visit to troops stationed within a newly-established Israeli security zone in southern Lebanon.

Israel first mentioned the existence of a "Yellow Line" in south Lebanon, similar to the one separating its forces from Hamas-held areas in Gaza, on April 18.

The army chief said that the military has achieved the objectives set by the government in Lebanon, and it may be required to hold some of its positions in the country in the future.

"In Lebanon, the mission assigned to us by the political echelon is to hold the line that prevents direct fire at the communities. We have achieved this... It is possible that we will be required to remain on it," Zamir said.

Military successes have "created the operational conditions for the processes that the political echelon is now leading," he added, referring to negotiations between Israel and the Lebanese state under U.S. mediation for the disarmament of Iran-backed Hezbollah.

President Joseph Aoun said Wednesday that Israel must fully implement the ceasefire before beginning direct talks.

"Israeli attacks cannot continue as they are," Aoun said in a statement shared by the Presidency.

"We are now waiting for the United States to set a date to begin direct negotiations" with Israel, he added.

Israel said on Wednesday that it struck "approximately 20 command centers and military structures used by Hezbollah" in south Lebanon.