Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Sunday that Israel may take unilateral action in Lebanon if Beirut fails to curb Hezbollah’s military activity. He accused Lebanese President Joseph Aoun of obstructing efforts to disarm the Iran-backed group, calling Hezbollah’s recent actions “playing with fire.”

In a post on X, Katz said Aoun “is dragging his feet” as Hezbollah strengthens its presence in southern Lebanon.

“The Lebanese government’s commitment to disarm Hezbollah and remove it from southern Lebanon must be realized,” he wrote, pledging that “maximum enforcement will continue and deepen – we will not allow a threat to the residents of the north,” Katz tweeted.