Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday issued a stark warning to Hezbollah, saying the group’s leader Naim Qassem would “pay with the loss of his head” for attacks on Israel, as tensions persist despite a fragile ceasefire along the Lebanese border.

Speaking at Mount Herzl during the annual ceremony marking the remembrance of fallen Israeli soldiers, Katz said he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had instructed the Israeli military to continue operations with force, including during the truce.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I ordered the army to act with strength, even during the ceasefire, in order to defend our soldiers in Lebanon against every threat,” Katz said.

He added that Israel remains committed to restoring security for residents in the country’s north, who have been affected by cross-border hostilities.

“Our duty to the northern residents remains clear and unequivocal: to bring security,” he said, vowing that Israel would also act against threats north of the Litani River. 

"The overarching goal of the campaign in Lebanon is to disarm Hezbollah and remove the threat to the northern communities, through a combination of military and diplomatic measures," Katz added. "We will act in the same way with regard to high-trajectory fire (towards Israel) from north of the Litani and from throughout Lebanon."

Katz directly targeted Hezbollah’s leadership, accusing the late Hassan Nasrallah of having “destroyed the Shiite community in Lebanon,” and warning that Qassem would meet a similar fate.

“Naim Qassem will destroy it and pay with the loss of homes and territory — just like Hamas did in Rafah and Beit Hanoun in Gaza — until he also pays with the loss of his head,” Katz said.