Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Friday warned that Lebanon could face escalating damage to its national infrastructure if it fails to dismantle the military capabilities of Hezbollah. The remarks followed an Israeli airstrike on a bridge over the Litani River earlier in the day, which the Israeli army said had been used by Hezbollah to move operatives from northern to southern Lebanon.

“This is only the beginning,” Katz said during a briefing with Israeli army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and senior military commanders. “The Lebanese government and State will pay an increasing price through loss of territory and damage to infrastructure used by Hezbollah terrorists. Until Hezbollah is disarmed, the central commitment of the Lebanese government remains unmet, and the consequences will continue to grow.”

Katz's warning echoes remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a Thursday press conference, in which he said the Lebanese government risked a dangerous escalation by failing to curb Hezbollah’s armed presence.

“You are playing with fire if you continue allowing Hezbollah to operate in violation of your commitment to disarm it,” Netanyahu said. “The time has come for you to act. If you do not, it is clear that we will.”

Netanyahu added that Israel could take direct action “on the ground” to dismantle the group’s military infrastructure, emphasizing that previous warnings to Lebanese authorities had gone unheeded.