Mission not complete: Israel warns Iran, threatens Hezbollah with severe blows

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz's remarks came a day after President Isaac Herzog tasked Netanyahu's rival Gadi Eisenkot with forming a new government following a deadlocked election.

As Israel prepares for a change of guard, Defence Minister Israel Katz on Sunday declared that the country's mission against Iran was not yet complete, accusing Tehran of renewing its efforts to develop nuclear weapons and warning that any fresh threat to Israel would invite a strong response.

Katz also issued a stern warning to Lebanon-based Hezbollah, saying the militant group would face "extremely severe blows" if it joined Iran in an attack on Israel.

"Concerning Iran, the mission is still not complete. Iran is trying to renew its efforts to obtain nuclear weapons, alongside other grave efforts that place the State of Israel in real danger," Katz said, according to news agency AFP.

The Israeli minister's remarks came a day after President Isaac Herzog tasked Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strongest rival, with trying to form a new government following a deadlocked election that left neither man with a clear path to power.

Israel has accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran has consistently denied. Iran has been targeted twice since last year in major Israeli-US bombing campaigns, further escalating tensions between the two regional adversaries.

Katz's remarks also came amid renewed threats from caretaker Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has repeatedly warned of possible fresh military action against Iran in recent weeks.

Last week, Israel's Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu and the country's intelligence agency, Mossad, had attempted to launch an operation against Iran on the eve of Israel's October 27 election. However, the United States reportedly learnt of the plan and intervened to stop it.

Eisenkot, who has been tasked with forming the government, has warned the Israeli military that Netanyahu does not have a mandate to launch another war and that the armed forces should not be drawn into military action to serve the Prime Minister's "political needs".

Despite their political differences, Eisenkot has largely backed Netanyahu's military decisions.

ISRAEL REFUSES TO WITHDRAW FROM GAZA, LEBANON, SYRIA

Katz also made it clear that Israel would not withdraw its forces from the security zones it currently controls in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.

"We will not withdraw from the security zones in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, and if the terrorist organisation Hezbollah chooses to join Iran in an attack on Israel, it will suffer extremely severe blows," he said.

Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, had opened fire on Israel in solidarity with Tehran, prompting Israeli military action in Lebanon.

Israel has also continued its military operations in Gaza following Hamas's unprecedented October 7, 2023, attack. The Palestinian militant group is backed by Iran's clerical establishment.

The attack triggered a wider regional conflict, with Israel launching a devastating military campaign in Gaza and subsequently expanding its military operations into Lebanon.

In Syria, Israel moved beyond a former ceasefire line and occupied parts of the country's territory following the fall of longtime President Bashar al-Assad in 2024.

Katz's remarks came against the backdrop of political divisions within Israel over the country's military strategy and the possibility of another confrontation with Iran.

"We may argue, and we may disagree, but when the security of the state is at stake, we must know how to rise above our disputes," he said.

His comments underscore Israel's continued hardline stance towards Iran and its regional allies, even as Netanyahu faces political uncertainty at home and questions remain over Washington's willingness to support another military campaign against Tehran.