Katz threatens to 'eliminate' Qassem and accuses him of 'destroying Lebanon’s Shiite community'

BEIRUT — Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened Wednesday that Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem could meet the same fate as his predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed by Israel in September 2024. "Just as Hassan Nasrallah destroyed the Shiite community in Lebanon until he was eliminated by order of the prime minister, Naim Qassem could well destroy this community entirely until he is eliminated as well," Katz said.

Katz also reiterated that Israel would not withdraw from the “security zones” it maintains in Lebanon. “As the prime minister and I have made clear, Israel will not withdraw from the security zones in Lebanon,” he said, threatening Hezbollah with “extremely harsh blows” if it decided to join Iran in an attack against Israel.

“Additional territories in southern Lebanon will become part of Israel’s permanent security zones,” he continued. “The entire Shiite population up to the Awali and Litani lines will be evacuated north to allow for a powerful strike against terrorist infrastructure in the area and to distance the threat to the residents of northern localities,” he said. “Similarly, most of Beirut’s southern suburb will be evacuated, along with its terrorist infrastructure, and more than a million Shiites will become displaced persons in Lebanon,” Katz added.

Katz was speaking at the graduation ceremony for combat officers of Israel’s ground forces, which was also attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.

At the ceremony, Netanyahu reiterated his remarks on Iran, saying that “toppling” the Iranian regime was the only way to eliminate the threat it posed.

On Tuesday, Katz had already threatened Hezbollah with a “severe blow” if it joined a possible Iranian attack against Israel. He also said the army was ready to launch a ground operation in new sectors of Nabatieh and along the Litani River, which would be permanently incorporated into Israel’s “security zone” and emptied of their inhabitants. He further warned that any firing or drone launches toward Israel would trigger a “powerful response” against Beirut’s southern suburb, saying it would be treated in the same way as Israeli localities targeted by Hezbollah.

These threats come as discussions between Lebanon and Israel, mediated by the United States in Tampa, Florida, continue. Beirut is notably demanding the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and an end to attacks, while Israel is conditioning its withdrawal on Hezbollah’s disarmament. The talks are also taking place amid tensions between the Lebanese and Israeli armies, with the latter accusing the former of failing to fulfill its mission to disarm Hezbollah, allegations rejected by the Lebanese military institution.