 "Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz. File image/ Reuters")
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Sunday (November 2, 2025) warned that Israel would escalate its military operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, a day after an airstrike killed four people, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
Amid rising tensions along the border, Katz accused Hezbollah of “ playing with fire ” and urged the Lebanese government to enforce the disarmament agreement and remove the group from the south.
“Enforcement of the maximum will continue and even intensify — we will not allow a threat to the residents of the north,” Katz said in a statement.
Four killed in Israeli airstrike
Lebanon’s health ministry said four people were killed and three injured in an Israeli airstrike in the Nabatiyeh district on Saturday night. According to the National News Agency, an Israeli missile struck a car around 10:30 pm (2030 GMT).
The attack came despite a ceasefire agreement signed between Israel and Hezbollah in November 2024. Israel continues to maintain troops in several southern Lebanese areas and conducts regular air raids, claiming to target Hezbollah positions.
US blames Lebanon for failing to act
US Special Envoy for the Middle East Thomas Barrack said Washington would not intervene directly but would support its ally Israel if hostilities intensified.
“The state is Hezbollah,” Barrack told The Associated Press, criticising Lebanon for failing to align with the shifting dynamics in the Middle East. “It is really up to the Lebanese. America is not going to get deeper involved in a situation where a foreign terrorist organisation and a failed state are dictating the pace.”
Katz issues fresh warning
Reiterating his stance, Katz said, “Hezbollah is playing with fire, and the president of Lebanon is dragging his feet. The Lebanese government’s commitment to disarm Hezbollah and remove it from southern Lebanon must be implemented.”