Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz

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’

Israel tells US it wants to resume war with Iran

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Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz holds a security situation assessment meeting with Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Head of the Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate (AMAN) Shlomi Binder and other senior commanders in Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 07, 2026. [Israeli Ministry of Defense – Anadolu Agency]

Israel and the United States are preparing to resume the war with Iran, despite ongoing behind-the-scenes efforts to arrange a meeting between US and Iranian officials in Pakistan this week.

Kan reported that Iran is refusing to make concessions on its nuclear programme. Following tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, Israel is waiting for the green light from US President Donald Trump to restart the fighting. Israel has sent a message to Washington saying: “We are interested in resuming the campaign against Iran.”

Over the past 24 hours, the United States has reinforced its presence in the region by sending an additional squadron of F/A-18 fighter jets to the Middle East, deploying more refuelling aircraft, and moving defence systems and interceptor missiles across the region.

An Israeli source told the Hebrew channel: “We are on maximum alert, awaiting President Trump’s decision.”

READ: Israeli minister says army awaiting US approval for potential strike on Iran

Regarding Iran, Israel has threatened to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, stating openly that he is among the targets awaiting Trump’s approval.

US President Donald Trump sparked confusion about the coming days in a series of posts earlier yesterday.

Regarding Lebanon, US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday a three-week extension of the ceasefire after Israeli and Lebanese representatives met at the White House. Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel exchanged attacks during the talks, underlining the fragility of the truce, according to CNN.

The conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah remains one of the main obstacles to US-Iran peace efforts.

READ: Iran announces tolls for Hormuz transit as nuclear talks remain stalled

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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 Straight 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 Straight 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.

Continue ReadingIsrael tells US it wants to resume war with Iran