Israel threatens to "take territory" if Lebanon fails to stop Hezbollah attacks

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has instructed the Israel Defence Forces to prepare for a possible expansion of military operations in Lebanon after the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets at Israel.

In a video address on Thursday, March 12, Katz said Hezbollah had carried out heavy rocket fire against Israel a day earlier, as per CNN.

“Hezbollah fired heavy barrages yesterday toward the State of Israel,” Katz said. “The IDF responded with force in Dahiyeh and against Hezbollah targets throughout Lebanon,” he added, referring to a Beirut neighbourhood widely regarded as a Hezbollah stronghold.

Amid the escalating hostilities, Israel has already issued large-scale evacuation orders across southern and central Lebanon, forcing hundreds of thousands of residents to leave their homes as intense fighting continues along the border.

Meanwhile, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had conducted a joint attack with Hezbollah against Israel. According to the group, more than 50 targets were struck during five hours of sustained fire on Wednesday.

Katz also said he had warned Joseph Aoun that Israel would act if the Lebanese government failed to prevent Hezbollah from launching attacks.

Katz said he told the Lebanese president that if Beirut does not stop Hezbollah from firing toward Israel, “we will take the territory and do it ourselves.”

“We promised quiet and security to the northern communities, and that is exactly what we will deliver,” Katz added.

By Tamilla Hasanova