Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Saturday that Lebanon will “pay the price” if it fails to act to disarm Hezbollah.
In a televised statement addressed to President Aoun, Katz said Lebanon had “made a promise and commitment to follow the agreement and disarm Hezbollah,” according to CNN.
“If we must choose between protecting our civilians and soldiers or the state of Lebanon, those who will pay the price will be the Lebanese government and all of Lebanon,” Katz stated.
After Aoun’s election in January 2025, he pledged to restore the Lebanese army’s monopoly over weapons in the country by disarming Hezbollah. However, the militant group has continued its activities and launched an attack on Israel last week following the joint US–Israel strikes on Iran.
In response, Israel has carried out powerful strikes across Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah not only in the south but also in the capital Beirut and in Tripoli in the north.
When asked about the possibility of a large-scale ground invasion, an Israeli military spokesperson said: “All options remain on the table.”
Katz added that Israel has “no territorial claims” in Lebanon but stressed that it “will not accept fire from Lebanese territory toward Israel.”
“Therefore, we address you and warn you — act and take measures before we do more,” Katz concluded in his message to President Aoun.
