JERUSALEM (VINnews) – Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz told U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert on Monday that Hezbollah’s acting leader is “playing with fire” and that Lebanon’s president is risking the country’s future by failing to disarm the terror group.

Katz issued the stern warning during a meeting with Hennis-Plasschaert, according to remarks released by his office.

“Na’im Qassem is playing with fire, and [President Joseph] Aoun is gambling with Lebanon’s future,” Katz said. “There will be no reality of a ceasefire in Lebanon alongside fire on our forces and on the communities of the Galilee.”

Katz added that if the Lebanese government continues to shelter under the shadow of Hezbollah, “fire will burn the cedars of Lebanon.”

“The fire will burn Hezbollah and all of Lebanon,” he said.

The defense minister demanded that the Lebanese government ensure Hezbollah is disarmed, beginning south of the Litani River and extending throughout the entire country.

The comments come amid ongoing tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border and efforts to implement a ceasefire agreement that requires Hezbollah to withdraw its forces north of the Litani River. Israel has repeatedly stated it will not tolerate continued Hezbollah attacks or the group’s military presence in southern Lebanon.