Shafaq News- Middle East

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Thursday warned Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem that he would pay a “very heavy price” following intensified rocket fire toward Israel during the Jewish Passover holiday.

In a recorded statement, Katz said Hezbollah and its supporters in Lebanon “will pay extremely heavy costs,” stressing that rocket fire “will not deter Israel" and that the Israeli army will continue its operations until "achieving its objectives." He added that Qassem “will not live to see this,” claiming that he could face a fate similar to what he described as members of the “axis of evil” who have been eliminated.

Katz further stated that Israel would not return to the “pre-October 7 situation,” adding that it would work to “clear southern Lebanon of Hezbollah and its supporters” while imposing “security control” over the entire Litani River area.

According to Israeli media, Hezbollah has launched dozens of rockets since Passover eve, with some reports estimating around 100 rockets fired toward northern Israel.