Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has renewed his threats against Hezbollah, stating that his army would “expand its operations” against the pro-Iranian group and “increase its attacks in the north.”

According to Israeli channel i24news, Gallant stated, “We are transitioning from a defensive stance to actively pursuing Hezbollah.” 

“Wherever Hezbollah is, whether it’s in Beirut, Baalbeck, Tyre, Sidon, Nabatiyeh, or beyond, including Damascus, we will take action,” he announced in Safed, northern Israel, where he was visiting the northern command of his army to conduct a situation assessment. 

He announced plans to intensify the pace and broaden the scope of Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah, a message he conveyed during recent meetings with US Defense Secretary Austin and special envoy Amos Hochstein, stated i24. “The Israeli Army is now in command of the North,” Galant declared.

The assessment included a review of recent countermeasures taken against Hezbollah’s rocket and missile unit, as well as ongoing intelligence operations aimed at neutralizing further threats posed by the Lebanese pro-Iranian group, according to i24news.

His remarks come just hours after the elimination of a Hezbollah operative, Ali Naim, during an Israeli raid on Bazouriyeh in southern Lebanon. Five other members of the group were also killed in Israeli airstrikes overnight in Aleppo, resulting in a total of 38 casualties.

Yoav Galant highlighted the success of the recent operations launched against Hezbollah, which he held “solely responsible for the damage caused in Lebanon” by the ongoing war between the group and Israel since October 8, 2023. He also accused its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, of being “also responsible for the death of a large number of its fighters,” over 320, according to him.

“Any action from Lebanon will have a price,” he warned.

Israel has recently intensified its operations targeting Hezbollah fighters and operatives. In response, Hezbollah launched, for the first time since Wednesday, Burkan missiles at Israeli settlements, having previously only targeted military bases.

According to Hassan Nasrallah, the Burkan is a short-range missile that can carry a warhead weighing between 300 and 500 kg.