Amid growing fears of a wider Middle East conflict, Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, on Friday issued a blunt warning to Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement, cautioning the Iran-backed militant group against getting involved in the ongoing hostilities between Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
In a strongly worded statement released in Tel Aviv, Katz made it clear that Israel would not tolerate any provocation or attack from Hezbollah, which is widely regarded as one of Iran’s most powerful allies in the region. His comments came hours after senior figures within Hezbollah declared that the group would act “as we see fit” in response to the Israel-Iran confrontation.
Katz responded unequivocally: “I suggest the Lebanese proxy be cautious and understand that Israel has lost patience with terrorists who threaten it.” He further warned that any form of aggression would be met with overwhelming retaliation, adding pointedly, “If there is terrorism, there will be no Hezbollah.”
The remarks underscore the high-stakes nature of the current standoff, with Israeli military forces on heightened alert along the northern border. Hezbollah, which maintains a strong presence in southern Lebanon, has long positioned itself as a resistance force against Israeli influence. However, Israeli officials have consistently accused the group of acting as a regional extension of Iranian military interests.
Tensions have sharply escalated across the region following Israel’s recent strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and Iran’s subsequent missile barrage in retaliation. The possibility of Hezbollah entering the fray has raised serious concerns among international observers, who fear a multi-front war could engulf Lebanon and draw in other players in the already volatile region.
While no direct confrontation has occurred between Israeli forces and Hezbollah in recent days, both sides have reportedly increased surveillance and troop movements along the border. Security analysts warn that any miscalculation or rogue action could serve as the trigger for a full-scale war involving not just Israel and Iran, but their respective allies.
As diplomatic efforts continue in Geneva and elsewhere to de-escalate the situation, Defence Minister Katz’s warning appears aimed at deterring Hezbollah from further inflaming the crisis. With rhetoric hardening and military assets being repositioned on all sides, the coming days are seen as critical in determining whether the conflict will remain contained or spiral into a regional conflagration.
