Hezbollah's chief, Naim Qassem, issued a direct warning to Israel, stating that any renewed large-scale military action against Lebanon would result in missile attacks on Israeli territory. His remarks came as Lebanon's government debated the future of Hezbollah's weapons under pressure from Washington to disarm the group. Qassem revealed for the first time that the recent conflict had killed 5,000 Hezbollah fighters and wounded 13,000, but insisted the organization remained strong and ready to defend Lebanon. He rejected international demands for disarmament, insisting that Israel must fully halt its military activities in Lebanon before any negotiations on Hezbollah's arsenal can proceed.