Israeli defense minister threatens Lebanon with ‘fire that will burn entire country’

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Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz holds a security situation assessment meeting with Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and other senior commanders in Tel Aviv, Israel, on April 23, 2026. [Israeli Ministry of Defense – Anadolu Agency]

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Monday threatened Lebanon with “fire that will burn the entire country,” two days after Prime Minister ordered military escalation against Beirut, Anadolu reports.

“(Hezbollah chief) Naim Qassem is playing with fire, and the fire will burn Hezbollah and all of Lebanon,” Katz said during a meeting with UN envoy to Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, as cited in a statement issued by his office.

The Israeli minister claimed that the Lebanese government “continues to take cover” under the Hezbollah wing.

“Fire will break out and engulf the cedars of Lebanon,” Katz warned.

He alleged that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun was “gambling with the future of Lebanon”, adding that Israel would not accept a situation in which a ceasefire in Lebanon coexists with continued attacks on Israeli forces and northern Israel.

The defense minister said he and Netanyahu have instructed the Israeli army “to respond with overwhelming fire against Hezbollah in the event of any damage, threat, or violation of Israeli sovereignty.”

READ: UN reports ‘one of highest volumes’ of Israeli firing incidents south of Blue Line in Lebanon

Aoun said early Monday that the ceasefire with Israel represents “a first and necessary step” for any subsequent negotiations with Tel Aviv. He said this position has already been conveyed to the US, which is leading mediation efforts between Beirut and Tel Aviv.

On Saturday, Netanyahu ordered the army to escalate its attacks against Lebanon in response to Hezbollah attacks.

More than 2,500 people have been killed, over 7,750 injured and over 1.6 million displaced by Israeli attacks across Lebanon since March 2, according to Lebanese official figures.

A 10-day ceasefire was declared between Lebanon and Israel on April 17, though Tel Aviv repeatedly violated it.

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump said Lebanon and Israel agreed to extend the truce by three weeks following a second round of talks between the two sides in Washington.

Hezbollah has carried out a series of drone attacks targeting Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon and northern Israel, citing Israel’s repeated violations of the truce.

READ: Iran demands end to Lebanon fighting as condition to continue negotiations

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Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump explains why he established his Bored of Peace
Donald Trump explains why he established his Bored of Peace

Continue ReadingIsraeli defense minister threatens Lebanon with ‘fire that will burn entire country’

Israeli chief of staff stunned letter from 100 reserve soldiers and officers

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Israel’s newly appointed armed forces chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir visits the Western Wall in the old city of Jerusalem on March 5, 2025. [Menahem KAHANA / AFP / Getty Images]

Around one hundred reserve soldiers and officers in Israel have signed a letter claiming that several incidents during the war show a “decline in the values of the Israeli army,” including what they described as the erosion of the army’s “purity of arms” principle.

According to Israel’s public broadcaster KAN, the letter, addressed to Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, was signed by reservists with ranks up to lieutenant colonel. The signatories raised serious allegations about the conduct of Israeli forces in the field and the harm caused to civilians across various fronts during the war.

In the letter, the soldiers described what they called “a collapse in the values of the Israeli army,” writing: “During the fighting in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon, there have been, and still are at times, incidents that do not reflect the spirit and values of the Israeli army—values on which we were raised and have educated those who serve under us.”

The reservists added: “Now, as the war draws to an end, we call on you to work to strengthen the moral values of the Israeli army and to firmly eliminate any conduct that contradicts the law, the army’s ethical code, and the procedures and directives issued over the past two years.”

Toward the end of the letter, they stressed: “Our military experience also proves that in many cases where discipline and adherence to the army’s values have collapsed, the operational effectiveness of our soldiers and our ability to win the war have also been damaged.”

READ: Netanyahu re-elected as Likud leader, set to run in Israel’s upcoming elections

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Experiencing issues with this image not appearing. I suspect because it's so critical of Zionist Keir Starmer's support of and complicity in Israel's genocides.
Genocide denier and Current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is quoted that he supports Zionism without qualification. He also confirms that UK air force support has been essential in Israel’s mass-murdering genocide. Includes URLs https://www.declassifieduk.org/keir-starmers-100-spy-flights-over-gaza-in-support-of-israel/ and https://youtu.be/O74hZCKKdpA
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza's hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.

Continue ReadingIsraeli chief of staff stunned letter from 100 reserve soldiers and officers