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Lebanon
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Hezbollah’s new leader, Naim Qassem, is “playing with fire” that will ultimately “burn Hezbollah and all of Lebanon.” Katz’s remarks came after Qassem rejected negotiations with Israel and vowed to continue attacks. Speaking to UN Special Coordinator Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Katz cautioned that if Lebanon’s government continues to shelter Hezbollah, the fire will break out and “burn the cedars of Lebanon.” The minister’s statement escalates rhetoric as cross-border hostilities persist, putting Lebanon’s stability at further risk.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz considered that the Hezbollah Secretary-General "is playing with fire," threatening that it "will burn Lebanon," following statements by Naim Qassem in which he reiterated his rejection of negotiations between the two countries and vowed to continue responding to Israel's attacks.
Katz told the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert: "Naim Qassem is playing with fire, and this fire will burn Hezbollah and all of Lebanon... If the Lebanese government continues to shelter under Hezbollah's wing, the fire will break out and burn the cedars of Lebanon," according to a statement issued by the Defense Minister's office.
