Israel Threatens Beirut Strikes Following Rocket or Drone Attacks

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Tuesday that any rocket or drone attack against Israel would trigger strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs.

In a statement published on X, Katz threatened to extend Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon into the Nabatieh and Litani regions if Hezbollah joined an Iranian attack against Israel.

He said residents of any newly occupied areas would be forced to leave, adding that the territories would become a permanent part of Israel’s so-called security zone inside Lebanon.

Katz also rejected the possibility of withdrawing Israeli troops from southern Lebanon before Hezbollah was disarmed across the country.

Acknowledging the extensive destruction caused by Israeli military operations, the defense minister said Israeli forces had demolished more than 60 Lebanese villages, comprising approximately 23,000 homes. He claimed the buildings had been used for military purposes by Hezbollah.

Katz further asserted that Israel had established a security zone covering 700 square kilometers of Lebanese territory, displacing approximately 200,000 people from the area.

His comments came as Lebanese and Israeli military delegations participated in US-mediated discussions at the headquarters of US Central Command in Tampa, Florida, on Tuesday.

Israel has continued its military campaign against Lebanon since March 2, resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries and forcing more than 1.5 million people from their homes.

On June 26, Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement backed by Washington. The arrangement outlined a phased Israeli withdrawal, the deployment of Lebanese army personnel and the disarmament of Hezbollah.

However, Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon have continued despite the agreement. Israeli forces also remain in control of Lebanese territory, including areas occupied for decades and others captured during more recent conflicts and military operations.