Defense Minister Katz threatens Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem

“Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s secretary-general, who chose to launch attacks under Iranian pressure, is now a marked target,” Katz wrote.

By World Israel News Staff

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a direct and personal warning Monday morning to Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, signaling that Israel may target the terror group’s leadership after Hezbollah joined the expanding regional conflict alongside Iran.

Katz’s statement came after Hezbollah launched rockets and drones toward northern Israel, opening an additional front as fighting connected to the Israel-Iran war intensified.

In an unusually explicit message directed at Hezbollah’s leader, Katz said that “Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s secretary-general, who chose to launch attacks under Iranian pressure, is now a marked target for elimination.”

The defense minister added that Hezbollah would “pay a heavy price” for attacks on Israel, underscoring Israel’s growing willingness to publicly threaten senior figures responsible for directing strikes against Israeli civilians.

The warning followed a statement issued Sunday by Qassem, in which the Hezbollah leader pledged continued resistance aligned with Iran’s revolutionary leadership following Israeli and U.S. strikes against the Islamic Republic.

Qassem said Hezbollah and what he described as the “Islamic resistance” would continue operating “with determination, stability, and a spirit of liberation that knows neither fatigue nor surrender.”

He further declared that the organization would remain “at the forefront of fighters for the liberation of land and humanity,” vowing to oppose what he called “American tyranny and Zionist crimes,” while expressing confidence in eventual victory despite expected sacrifices.

Hours later, Hezbollah terrorists fired multiple rockets and launched several drones toward northern Israel, triggering sirens across border communities and prompting an immediate Israeli response.

Israeli Air Force aircraft subsequently struck dozens of Hezbollah targets across southern Lebanon and the Beirut metropolitan area, targeting operational infrastructure used to plan and carry out attacks against Israeli territory.

The IDF also issued evacuation notices to residents in 53 towns and villages on the Lebanese side of the border, signaling preparations for continued military operations.

“We have launched an offensive campaign against Hezbollah,” IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said Monday morning. “We need to be prepared for many days of fighting.” He added that Hezbollah initiated the escalation overnight and bears responsibility for the developing confrontation.

Katz emphasized that Israel will no longer operate under the pre-October 7 security framework along the northern border. “We will not return to the rules of fire that existed before October 7,” he said, stressing that Israel is now acting “with full force.”

The defense minister added that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and he instructed the IDF to operate decisively against Hezbollah in order to remove threats against Israeli civilians and restore long-term security.