Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has threatened Lebanon with “fire that will burn the whole country”, two days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a military escalation against Beirut, reports Anadolu.

(Hezbollah chief) Naim Qassem is playing with fire, and the fire will burn Hezbollah and all of Lebanon”, said Katz during a meeting with the UN envoy for Lebanon, Jeanine. Hennis-Plasschaert, according to a statement released by his office.

The Israeli minister has claimed that the Lebanese government “continues to take cover” under the wing of Hezbollah.

“The fire will break out and engulf the cedars of Lebanon,” Katz warned.

He claimed that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is “gambling with the future of Lebanon,” adding that Israel will not accept a situation in which a cease-fire in Lebanon coexists with continued attacks on Israeli forces and northern Israel.

The defense minister said he and Netanyahu have instructed the Israeli military “to respond with overwhelming fire against Hezbollah in the event of any damage, threat or violation of Israeli sovereignty.”

Aoun said early Monday that the cease-fire with Israel represents “a first and necessary step” for any peace negotiations. later with Tel Aviv. He said this position has already been conveyed to the US, which is leading mediation efforts between Beirut and Tel Aviv.

On Saturday, Netanyahu ordered the military to escalate attacks against Lebanon in response to Hezbollah attacks.

More than 2,500 people have been killed, more than 7,750 wounded and more than 1.6 million displaced by Israeli attacks across Lebanon since 2 March, according to official Lebanese figures.

A ten-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel was announced on April 17, although Tel Aviv has repeatedly violated it.

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump said Lebanon and Israel had agreed to extend the ceasefire for another three weeks after a second round of talks between the two sides in Washington.

Hezbollah has carried out a series of drone attacks on Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon and northern Israel, citing Israel’s repeated ceasefire violations.

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Source: prizrenpost