Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened to launch severe strikes against Hezbollah and Beirut’s southern suburbs if the Lebanese group participates in any Iranian attack, warning that Israel could expand its military operations deeper into Lebanon.

Katz said the Israeli military was prepared to conduct incursions into additional areas, including Nabatieh and the Litani region.

He added that territory from which residents were forcibly displaced would be permanently incorporated into what he described as the “Israeli security zone” inside Lebanon.

Katz also warned that any gunfire or drone launches toward cities and residential areas in the occupied territories would trigger a forceful response targeting Beirut’s southern suburbs.