Katz: Qassem Will Destroy Lebanon's Shia Community

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened Hezbollah with receiving "the most severe blows" if it joins Iran in any attack against Israel, vowing to target the party's infrastructure in Beirut's southern suburbs and evacuate them, while expanding the security zone in southern Lebanon.

Katz stated that "any joining by Hezbollah alongside Iran in confronting Israel will lead to the displacement of one million Shia in Lebanon," adding that areas in Nabatieh and south of the Litani River could become part of the Israeli security zone if the party engages in any Iranian attack.

He affirmed that Israeli forces "will not withdraw from the security zones they control in Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip," warning that "whoever attacks Israel, whether before or after the elections, will pay a heavy price."

He added that "Naim Qassem will destroy the Shia community in Lebanon just as Nasrallah previously destroyed it."

Regarding Iran, Katz said the Iranian regime is passing through its weakest state ever, considering that its weakness might push it to take extreme measures, including attacking Israel, and vowed by saying: "If Iran attacks Israel, Iran will burn."

He also indicated that Israel detected attempts by Iran and its proxies to promote attacks aimed at influencing election results.

These threats come amid Israeli warnings about the possibility of Hezbollah engaging in any military confrontation with Iran, and what may result from such escalation and expansion of Israeli operations inside Lebanese territory.

Tampa Meeting

Amid these threats, the tripartite military meeting continues at the US Central Command "CENTCOM" headquarters in Tampa, Florida, having started at 4 PM today Tuesday, Beirut time, with the participation of a Lebanese delegation and representatives from the United States and Israel, to discuss security arrangements in southern Lebanon and Lebanese demands for stopping escalation and Israeli withdrawal.

Talks resume after an interruption lasting about two and a half months, with a military character, after the Italian capital Rome hosted previous rounds covering both military and political aspects.

According to available information, the Lebanese delegation includes three officers from the team that participated in previous rounds, instead of six, with meetings extending over two days.

The first day is dedicated to assessing what has been implemented since the last meetings, including the field situation, security arrangements, and the first pilot area, while second-day talks are expected to address possible agreed-upon procedures to facilitate implementation on the ground.

According to sources in the negotiating delegation, Lebanon raises the cessation of excavation work, house demolitions, firing, and Israeli military operations, organizing withdrawal from Lebanese territories, along with defining new model areas.

Demands include addressing the prisoners' file, facilitating the return of residents to their villages, and allowing farmers to harvest olives without being targeted.