Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has issued a strong warning to Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem, threatening severe consequences following a surge in rocket attacks targeting northern Israel during the Jewish holiday of Passover.
In a video statement released on Thursday, Katz condemned the attacks, which coincided with Passover Seder gatherings, and accused Hezbollah of deliberately targeting civilians during a significant religious observance.
“I have a clear message for Naim Qassem… you and your associates will pay an extraordinarily heavy price for the intensified rocket fire directed at Israeli citizens,” he said.
Katz further warned that Qassem would share the fate of several high-profile figures Israel claims to have eliminated in recent years, including former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
The warning followed claims by Hezbollah that it carried out multiple rocket attacks late Wednesday and early Thursday, targeting areas in northern Israel as the holiday began.
Katz also reiterated Israel’s military objectives in Lebanon, stating that Israeli forces intend to push Hezbollah and its allies out of southern Lebanon, maintain security control up to the Litani River, and dismantle the group’s military infrastructure across the country.
Tensions have escalated sharply since early March, when Hezbollah—backed by Tehran—launched rockets into Israel, triggering a series of retaliatory Israeli airstrikes and a broader ground offensive in Lebanon.
The ongoing hostilities mark a significant expansion of conflict in the region, raising concerns over further instability in the Middle East.
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