Beirut:Jerusalem Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning on Tuesday, declaring that any rocket or drone fire targeting Israel would result in military strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Katz made his remarks via a post on the US social media platform X. He further indicated that Israel might expand its military occupation towards the Nabatieh and Litani areas if Lebanon's Hezbollah group were to participate in an attack initiated by Iran. Katz emphasized that residents in any newly occupied territory would be evacuated, with the areas becoming a permanent part of Israel's security zone in Lebanon.

Katz also stated that no Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon would occur until Hezbollah was completely disarmed across the nation. He acknowledged the extensive destruction caused by Israeli forces, noting that over 60 Lebanese villages with 23,000 homes had been demolished, allegedly used by Hezbollah for military activities.

He further claimed Israel has established a 700-square-kilometer security zone within Lebanon, displacing approximately 200,000 residents. These comments came as Lebanese and Israeli military delegations engaged in US-mediated discussions at the US Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Florida.

Since March 2, Israel has been conducting attacks on Lebanon, resulting in the deaths and injuries of thousands, alongside the displacement of over 1.5 million residents. On June 26, a US-sponsored framework agreement was signed by Lebanon and Israel, outlining a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, the deployment of the Lebanese army, and the disarmament of Hezbollah. Despite this agreement, Israel's military actions in southern Lebanon have continued unabated, with Israeli forces maintaining their occupation of Lebanese territories, including areas held for decades and those seized in more recent conflicts.