Israel Threatens to "Occupy Vast Areas" in Southern Lebanon

Israel threatened on Tuesday to "occupy vast areas" in southern Lebanon if "Hezbollah" does not withdraw from the area. According to Israeli Channel 12, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz told his French counterpart, Stéphane Séjourné, that if Hezbollah does not withdraw, Israel "will be close to a comprehensive war" with them. Katz continued: "Israel will fight Hezbollah all over Lebanon and will occupy vast areas in southern Lebanon, which will remain under the control of the army as a security zone." On Tuesday, Séjourné arrived in Israel, where he met with his Israeli counterpart; this visit lasts 24 hours in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv as part of a Middle East tour that included Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.