BEIRUT, Lebanon

Lebanon’s defense minister said Tuesday the country rejects any Israeli attempt to establish a “security zone” in the country’s south or prevent displaced residents from returning to their homes.

Michel Menassa said in a statement he strongly condemns remarks by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, warning they reflect “a clear intention to impose a new occupation of Lebanese territory.”

He said the Israeli statements go beyond threats and point to “plans for forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians and the systematic destruction of southern villages and towns.”

Lebanon “categorically and absolutely rejects” these threats, Menassa said, calling them a “flagrant and unprecedented violation” of the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law.

“Preventing Lebanese citizens from returning to their land and replicating the Gaza model in southern Lebanon would constitute a heinous crime that Lebanon will not accept,” he added.

Menassa also rejected any attempt to establish a “security zone” in the Lebanese territory or impose control up to the Litani River, warning such moves “would deepen aggression and push the region toward dangerous and unpredictable escalation.”

He called on the international community, particularly the UN and permanent members of the Security Council, “to take a clear and firm stance to stop the threats.”

“Ignoring or hesitating in the face of such actions is no longer acceptable and would only encourage further escalation,” he added.

Earlier Tuesday, Katz threatened residents of southern Lebanon with destruction and displacement similar to what occurred in Rafah and Beit Hanoun in Gaza.

“At the end of the military operation (the current aggression), the Israeli army forces will be deployed in a security zone inside Lebanon and will control the area up to the Litani River,” he added.

Katz also threatened to demolish homes in Lebanese border villages under what he described as a model similar to Rafah and Beit Hanoun “to eliminate threats near the border.”

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the expansion of the buffer zone in southern Lebanon as attacks by Hezbollah against Israeli forces continue.

Since March 2, the Israeli army has repeatedly warned residents of villages south of the Litani River to evacuate their homes indefinitely and later expanded warnings to areas north of the Zahrani River.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Tuesday that Israeli attacks have killed 1,268 people, including 125 children and 88 women, and wounded 3,750 others, including 423 children and 473 women.

Israel expanded its military operations in Lebanon the same day, after launching attacks on Iran with US participation on Feb. 28 that have killed and wounded thousands, including senior figures such as former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Hezbollah began targeting Israeli military sites on March 2 in response to continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon despite a ceasefire in place since late 2024 and the killing of Khamenei.

Israel occupies parts of southern Lebanon, some for decades and others since the previous war between October 2023 and November of the following year.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio in Istanbul