Israeli Defence Minister Threatens Lebanon with 'Fire That Will Burn the Entire Country'
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has threatened Lebanon with “fire that will burn the entire country”, as the ceasefire is marred by accusations of violations by Israel and the Hezbollah group. Katz even described Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem as “playing with fire”.
Katz’s threat, as reported by Anadolu Agency and Middle East Monitor on Tuesday (28/4/2026), was issued two days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a military escalation against Beirut, Lebanon’s capital.
“Naim Qassem is playing with fire, and that fire will burn Hezbollah and all of Lebanon,” Katz emphasised during a meeting with the United Nations Envoy to Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, according to a statement released by the Israeli Defence Ministry’s office on Monday (27/4).
Katz claimed that the Lebanese government “continues to shelter” under Hezbollah’s wing.
“The fire will rage and devour Lebanon’s cedar trees,” Katz warned.
Furthermore, he accused Lebanese President Joseph Aoun of “jeopardising Lebanon’s future”.
Katz also stressed that Israel would not accept a situation where the ceasefire in Lebanon coexists with ongoing attacks by Hezbollah on Israeli forces in southern Lebanon and northern Israel.
The Israeli Defence Minister stated that he and Netanyahu had instructed Israeli forces to “respond with devastating fire against Hezbollah if there is damage, threat, or violation of Israeli sovereignty”.
Meanwhile, Aoun stated on Monday morning (27/4) that the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel is an “important first step” for further negotiations with Tel Aviv. He said this position has been conveyed to the United States, which is mediating negotiations between Beirut and Tel Aviv.
On Saturday (25/4), Netanyahu ordered the Israeli military to intensify attacks on Lebanon in response to Hezbollah’s attacks.
According to official data from the Lebanese government, more than 2,500 people have been killed and more than 7,750 others injured due to Israeli attacks. More than 1.6 million people in Lebanon have been forced to flee the Tel Aviv military onslaught in various parts of Lebanon since 2 March.