The commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force has issued a stern warning to Israeli forces, cautioning them against any attempt to occupy southern Lebanon and vowing a repeat of Israel’s 2000 withdrawal from the area.

In a social media post on Sunday, Brigadier General Esmaeil Qa’ani directly addressed Israeli troops, referring to them as “Zionist aggressor and terrorist soldiers.”

“If you do not withdraw from southern Lebanon on your own feet, the epic of the year 2000 will be repeated once again, the same year you fled this land in disgrace,” Qa’ani wrote. “Today, if you persist in aggression and occupation, you will be kicked out in humiliation and defeat. The choice is yours.”

The IRGC commander pointed to recent Israeli losses, claiming that Israeli forces “have suffered 100 casualties” in less than four days of fighting.

The statement comes amid ongoing tensions following a ceasefire agreement, with Qa’ani accusing Israel of repeated violations through deadly attacks targeting civilians in southern Lebanon.

Israel withdrew its forces from southern Lebanon in May 2000 after an 18-year occupation, an event widely viewed in the region as a victory for Hezbollah and its allies, who waged a sustained guerrilla campaign against Israeli troops.

Qa’ani’s remarks underscore Iran’s continued support for Hezbollah and its determination to confront Israeli military actions in Lebanon. The Quds Force, the IRGC’s overseas operations arm, has long provided training, funding, and logistical support to allied groups in the region.

No immediate response from Israeli officials was reported in reaction to the post. (ILKHA)