Israel Threatens to Displace One Million Lebanese if Hezbollah Enters the War

Beirut (Agencies): Israeli Security Minister Yisrael Katz threatened to launch a “severe strike” against Hezbollah and occupy additional territories in southern Lebanon if the group participates in a potential Iranian attack on Israel, vowing to displace more than one million people within Lebanon. Katz’s threats came in a video recorded while he was in the occupied southern Lebanon area, as discussions within Israel intensify over the possibility that Iran could attack Israel before or during the elections scheduled for October 27.

Katz said Hezbollah would lose additional territories in southern Lebanon, specifically in the Nabatieh and Litani areas, which would become part of what he described as Israel’s “permanent security zone,” adding that the Israeli military is prepared to carry out such an operation. He also threatened to evacuate Beirut’s southern suburbs and target their infrastructure, stating that more than one million people would become internally displaced in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah acknowledged that the shipment of explosives seized by Lebanese authorities belongs to it, while investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding its transport. Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadelallah said yesterday that the shipment belongs to Hezbollah.

The Lebanese Army had previously announced the seizure of a truck carrying hundreds of kilograms of explosives, including C-4 and TNT, in the Dahr al-Bider area, while it was being transported from the Bekaa Valley toward Greater Beirut. The drivers were arrested and referred to the relevant authorities for investigation.

Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam affirmed that authorities would continue their investigation to identify all those involved and uncover the objectives behind transporting the shipment, stressing that the handling of the case would be guided by the principle of “no leniency, no tolerance, but rather truth and accountability.”