Riyadh: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Monday that Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem is now a 'marked target for elimination': Writing on US social media company X, Katz vowed that Hezbollah 'will pay a heavy price for the firing toward Israel.'

According to Anadolu Agency, Katz declared that Qassem, under pressure from Iran, is now a target due to Hezbollah's recent aggressive actions. Katz emphasized that Hezbollah's allegiance to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei places them in danger, warning that those aligned with Khamenei would face dire consequences.

The Israeli military launched an 'offensive battle' against Hezbollah in Lebanon early Monday. This included airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs and southern Lebanon, resulting in 31 deaths and 149 injuries, as reported by Lebanon's Health Ministry.

Hezbollah retaliated by launching missiles and drones at an Israeli military site, citing Israel's continuous attacks on Lebanon and the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as the catalysts for their actions.

The conflict has escalated since Saturday, with Israel and the United States targeting Iran in strikes that have claimed hundreds of lives, including that of Khamenei and several top officials. In response, Tehran has launched missiles and drones at Israeli and US interests in the Gulf region.

Washington and Tel Aviv accuse Iran of developing nuclear and missile programs that threaten regional stability. Iran, however, maintains that its nuclear ambitions are peaceful and denies any intent to create nuclear weapons.