Israel Katz Warns Hezbollah of Massive Ground Incursion and Permanent Buffer Zones
Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Hezbollah against joining an Iranian attack on Israel, threatening a ground incursion, permanent buffer zones, and the displacement of over a million Shiites.
Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz visited southern Lebanon on Wednesday, issuing a stern warning to Hezbollah against joining any future military campaign alongside Iran against Israel.
Warning of a Ground Incursion and Permanent Buffer Zones
Katz stated that if Hezbollah joins Iran in an attack on Israel, the IDF will launch another ground maneuver, seize territory in the Nabatieh and Litani regions, and annex them to Israel's permanent security zone. He also threatened the evacuation of the Dahiyeh district in Beirut and extensive strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure, which he warned could displace over a million Shiites in Lebanon.
"If Hezbollah joins Iran in an attack on Israel, it will suffer a severe blow and lose additional territory in southern Lebanon in the Nabatieh and Litani areas—which will become part of Israel's permanent security zone. The IDF is prepared to carry out the maneuver," Katz declared.
The Defense Minister added that in such a scenario, the Shiite population would be evacuated north to the Awali and Zahrani lines to allow the IDF to target terror infrastructure and remove the drone threat from northern communities. "The Dahiyeh quarter in Beirut will also be evacuated, its terror infrastructure will be struck, and over a million Shiites will become displaced persons in Lebanon," he said.
Threats Against Hezbollah Leadership
Katz also addressed Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, threatening his elimination: "Nasrallah destroyed the Shiite community in Lebanon until he was thwarted, and Naim Qassem could completely ruin it—until he too is eliminated and sent to meet Nasrallah and his successor in the depths of hell."
The remarks were made during a tour conducted by the Defense Minister in the frontline villages of southern Lebanon, alongside Northern Command Chief Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo, Division 91 Commander Brig. Gen. Yuval Guez, and other commanders. During the visit, Katz received a briefing on Operation Silver Plow, under which the IDF is destroying terror infrastructure in the area.
Katz praised the troops and commanders, clarifying that Israel has no intention of withdrawing from the security zones where IDF forces are operating in Lebanon and Syria. "As the Prime Minister and I have made clear: we will not withdraw from the security zones," he said.
