Defense Minister Katz warns any attack on Israel's North 'will result in an attack on Dahiyeh'

Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning on Monday, stating that Israel will continue to target the Beirut neighborhood of Dahiyeh if Hezbollah persists in attacking Israel's northern region. "We reject Iran's threats outright," Katz declared, adding, "Any attempt by Iran to use ties with Lebanon to attack Israel will be met with great force."

This statement comes amid reports that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich proposed a significant escalation to the Security Cabinet. Smotrich allegedly suggested that Israel should strike 20 to 30 buildings in Dahiyeh for every Iranian missile launched toward Israel. The rationale behind this proposal, according to reports, is to influence Iran's strategic calculations regarding its involvement with Lebanon and to create a long-term deterrent effect by destroying a substantial number of buildings in the Hezbollah stronghold.

Dahiyeh, a suburb south of Beirut, is known for its strong Hezbollah presence. The IDF had previously conducted strikes in Dahiyeh on Sunday, which Iran reportedly used as a catalyst to initiate waves of missile launches toward Israel that same evening. Emergency personnel were seen working at the site of an Israeli strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut on June 7, 2026.

The proposed plan by Smotrich aims not only to retaliate but also to significantly degrade Hezbollah's infrastructure and presence in the area. Destroying an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 buildings in Dahiyeh, the proposal suggests, would bolster security and establish a deterrent for years to come within Lebanon.

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We reject Iran's threats outright. Any attempt by Iran to use ties with Lebanon to attack Israel will be met with great force.