Israel has issued a warning that it will escalate military operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon if the Lebanese government does not take action to disarm the militant group. This comes despite an existing ceasefire agreement between the two parties. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Hezbollah is attempting to rearm and emphasized that Israel will act in self-defense, asserting that such actions align with the terms of the ceasefire. "We will not allow Lebanon to become a renewed front against us, and we will act as necessary," Netanyahu said during a press conference on Sunday. On the same day, the Israeli military confirmed the killing of four Hezbollah members. The ceasefire, which was mediated by the United States and France, was established in November of last year. However, Israel has continued to conduct frequent airstrikes on targets in Lebanon, claiming these operations are aimed at Hezbollah militants and facilities. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also expressed concerns, stating that Hezbollah "is playing with fire" and accused Lebanese President Joseph Aoun of "foot dragging" regarding disarmament efforts. A senior U.S. diplomat has warned that time is running out for Lebanon to disarm the Iranian-backed group. The ceasefire agreement required the Lebanese government and its army to remove Hezbollah from areas near the Israeli border and to strip it of its weapons. Despite the ceasefire, Hezbollah has not willingly surrendered its arsenal. Israel has cited a self-defense provision in the ceasefire deal to justify its ongoing airstrikes, which have reportedly occurred almost daily, including at least one commando raid. Netanyahu reiterated, "We won’t allow Lebanon to become a new front against us, and we shall take whatever action is required." As the deadline for disarmament approaches, Israel claims that Hezbollah is rebuilding its military capabilities lost during previous conflicts. U.S. diplomat Tom Barrack described the Lebanese government as "paralyzed" and governed by a "foreign terrorist organization." He noted that Hezbollah possesses approximately 20,000 rockets and missiles, along with around 40,000 fighters who are compensated significantly more than members of the Lebanese Armed Forces. Barrack advised Lebanon to engage directly with Israel and consider establishing bilateral relations similar to the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "We don’t have time for this diplomatic cadence." He also mentioned that Israeli officials have provided intelligence indicating Hezbollah's rearming efforts, including the use of smuggling routes through Syria and evidence of an underground drone manufacturing facility in eastern Lebanon. Lebanese leaders have denied these allegations. Barrack compared a potential escalation with Lebanon to Israel's recent military actions against Iran, suggesting that Israel's aggressive stance could extend to other groups it considers terrorist organizations. Although the ceasefire requires Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, it currently maintains five military outposts along the border. Israel has offered to remove these outposts in exchange for action from the Lebanese Armed Forces to disarm Hezbollah, which Israel insists must be rendered incapable of launching attacks similar to the October 7, 2023, cross-border raid by Hamas that ignited a multi-front conflict. Katz concluded, "We will not permit a threat against residents of the north."