An Israeli military source warned on Thursday that any attempt by Hezbollah to rebuild its military capabilities would trigger an immediate response, while calling on the Lebanese Army to demonstrate greater effectiveness on the ground.

“Any attempt by Hezbollah to rebuild its capabilities will be met with an immediate response,” the source told Al-Hadath, adding that the Lebanese Army’s ability to carry out its responsibilities and demonstrate its effectiveness was an essential condition for implementing the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

The comments came a day after Israeli army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir called on the Lebanese Army to “significantly improve its effectiveness on the ground” so that it could disarm Hezbollah.

Zamir made the remarks while addressing soldiers from the 91st Division during a visit to northern Israel, according to a post on X by Israeli army spokesperson Ella Waweya. The Israeli military also published details of the visit, during which Zamir reviewed operational developments and advanced capabilities, including robotic systems.

“The campaign is not over yet, and challenges still lie ahead,” Zamir said, stressing that the Israeli army continued to pursue what he described as its “supreme and enduring objective” of disarming Hezbollah in Lebanon.

He said that objective could be achieved within an agreement with the Lebanese government only if the Lebanese Army significantly improved its effectiveness on the ground.

“We are operating from advanced defensive positions based on a deep presence in enemy territory, beyond the border,” Zamir said, referring to Lebanese territory.

Israel currently maintains military positions in parts of southern Lebanon. Israeli officials have said they will prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its military infrastructure in the area.

“We will not allow the terrorist organization Hezbollah to rebuild its strength, restore its capabilities or reestablish terrorist infrastructure in the region,” Zamir said.

Zamir also announced plans to expand the Israeli military’s use of robotics and unmanned systems.

“In light of the evolution of the battlefield” and lessons learned from the war, the army will establish a branch dedicated to robotics that will develop capabilities for operations in the air, at sea and on land, he said.

“We are developing new capabilities and expanding the use of manned and unmanned means to increase our operational effectiveness,” Zamir said.

During his visit, he praised the capabilities used by Israeli forces in operations around Beaufort Castle and the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon.