ISRAELI DEFENCE MINISTER HINTS AT NEW WAR WITH LEBANON IF HEZBOLLAH REFUSES TO DISARM

Thu 27 November 2025:

Israeli Defence Minister Yisrael Katz has warned that military action against Lebanon will be “inevitable” if Hezbollah does not agree to disarm, in the clearest indication yet that Israel is preparing for the possibility of a new cross-border war.

Speaking to Israeli media on Tuesday, Katz said that Israel “will not tolerate an armed Hezbollah presence” along its northern frontier and insisted that the group must be fully disarmed in accordance with past international resolutions. “If Hezbollah does not comply, Israel will act forcefully,” he said, adding that the government “will not allow residents of the north to live under threat”.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz. [SEBASTIAN SCHEINER/AFP via Getty Images]

His remarks come amid months of escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, despite the ceasefire agreement that came into effect in late 2014. Since then, Israel has accused the Lebanese group of rebuilding its military capabilities, while Hezbollah says Israel continues to violate Lebanese sovereignty through airstrikes, drone incursions and cross-border attacks.

Katz’s comments also follow warnings issued by Israeli officials to the United States that Hezbollah is “recovering” and strengthening its military infrastructure. Israeli leaders have repeatedly expressed frustration with what they describe as the Lebanese state’s failure to curb Hezbollah’s activities.

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Last week, Katz accused Lebanese President Michel Aoun and the government in Beirut of “stalling” and failing to implement commitments to disarm Hezbollah, stating: “Lebanon must take responsibility. We will ensure that no threat remains on our northern border.”

Hezbollah has rejected calls to disarm, arguing that its weapons are essential for defending Lebanon against Israeli aggression. The group’s leadership has also warned that any Israeli attack would be met with a large-scale response.

The latest exchange has fuelled fears of a wider military escalation in the region, at a time when international attention remains focused on efforts to stabilise Gaza and prevent a renewed outbreak of fighting along multiple fronts.

-MEMO

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