Israel Katz Threatens Hezbollah With Territorial Loss and Mass Displacement

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Wednesday that Hezbollah will face a severe blow and the loss of additional territory in southern Lebanon if the group joins Iran in an attack on Israel. During a visit to the frontline and occupied buffer zones in south Lebanon, Katz stated that the Israel Defense Forces are prepared to expand Israel's permanent security zone to include the Nabatiyeh and Litani River areas.

Katz threatened a ground offensive targeting terrorist infrastructure that would force the evacuation of the Dahiyeh district in Beirut. He claimed such an operation could displace more than one million Shiites. The Defense Minister asserted that Israel will not withdraw from existing security zones and alleged that Iran and its proxies are attempting to launch attacks to influence Israeli election results.

Regarding Hezbollah leadership, Katz claimed that Naim Qassem could annihilate Lebanon's Shiite community if he is not eliminated, comparing the risk to the impact of former leader Hassan Nasrallah.