BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese government declared on Monday that all military and security activities outside state authority are illegal, demanding that Hezbollah disarm and surrender its weapons to state institutions.

"The Lebanese state declares its absolute refusal of any military or security actions taking place on Lebanese soil outside the framework of its legitimate institutions and affirms that the decision of war and peace rests in the hands of the Lebanese state alone," the Council of Ministers said in a statement issued after a Cabinet meeting, according to local television channel al-Jadeed.

The Cabinet said that Hezbollah's armed activities violate state authority and ordered security agencies to prevent the launch of rockets or drones from Lebanese territory and apprehend violators.

The Cabinet reaffirmed Lebanon's dissociation from regional conflicts and called for intensified diplomacy to secure a ceasefire and a clear Israeli commitment to halt attacks on Lebanese territory.

Also on Monday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Hezbollah will pay a "heavy price" for its recent rocket attacks, as the military confirmed it is considering a ground invasion of Lebanon.

In a post on the social media platform X, Katz declared Hezbollah's Secretary-General, Naim Qassem, a "marked target for elimination." Katz claimed Qassem decided to join the current conflict under direct pressure from Tehran, following the start of a joint U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran on Saturday.

The warning coincided with a press briefing by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Effie Defrin, who confirmed that the military "does not rule out a ground maneuver" in Lebanon.

"All options are on the table," Defrin told reporters, noting that "situational assessments are being made" in real-time.

While Israel has so far focused on "forceful" airstrikes against Hezbollah's leadership and infrastructure, the mobilization of 100,000 reservists on Sunday was described by officials as a critical step in preparing for a potential ground offensive.

"The IDF is prepared for a multi-front war, and we have boosted forces along all of Israel's borders, primarily along the northern border," Defrin said.

Israel and Lebanon were trading fire as Israel continued to carry out airstrikes in Iran, while Iran maintained missile attacks across Israel. At least 555 people have been killed since the attacks began, according to the Iranian Red Crescent, while ten have been killed in Israel, according to the Magen David Adom rescue service. ■