'Beware of sending drones, or there will be no more Hezbollah,' threatens Israeli Defense Minister

The Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, threatened Hezbollah and its new leader with retaliation on Sunday if the party's drones were launched again toward Israel. These statements were made during the minister's tour of positions occupied by the Israeli army in southern Lebanon, as reported by the Times of Israel news site.

“In recent days, we have witnessed attempts to launch drones towards Israel,” said Katz. “I want to send a clear message to Hezbollah and the Lebanese government: Israel will not accept drones being launched from Lebanon. We will not allow a return to Oct. 7 [2023]. We will thwart the threats and respond with all necessary force,” he stated.

“No drones, otherwise there will be no more Hezbollah. I suggest that Hassan Nasrallah's successor does not underestimate Israel's determination as his predecessors did, at the risk of paying a very heavy price,” added Israel Katz.

The Israeli army announced Thursday that it had “intercepted” a drone from the group, claiming it had been launched towards Israeli territory, without specifying whether the device had been intercepted in Lebanon or after crossing the border.

The truce between Lebanon and Hezbollah has been extended until Feb. 18. Israel continues to occupy several localities in southern Lebanon.

It is noteworthy that Hezbollah's Secretary General, Naim Qassem, will speak tonight. He will address “the latest developments in southern Lebanon and the funeral of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.”

The former leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed on Sept. 27 in extremely heavy Israeli strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut. The party had assured that “great funerals” would be organized in his honor, but without specifying their exact date.