Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Thursday that if the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah “decides to engage in all-out war,” Israel will make “Beirut and southern Lebanon” look like “Gaza and Khan Younis.”
Accompanied by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, Netanyahu visited the border area with Lebanon, where crossfire continues between Israel and militias on Lebanese territory. caused the death of a 60-year-old Israeli citizen, victim of an anti-tank missile.
In a statement this Thursday, Hezbollah said that elements of the Shia movement entered the region in a firefight with Israeli forces, skirmishes that have continued almost since October 8, a day after the start of the war between Israel and Hamas. caused an increase in tension and the opening of a new front on the border with Lebanon.
“If Hezbollah decides to start an all-out war, Beirut and southern Lebanon, not far from here, will turn into Gaza and Khan Younis.”Netanyahu said in a statement after assessing the situation in the northern command.
Netanyahu added that it is Israel’s desire to “restore security” on its northern border with Lebanon and called on Israel’s enemies to “be careful and pay attention.”
Israel also bombed Lebanese territory from land and air on Thursday, after several projectiles were fired from Lebanon and attributed to Hezbollah, as part of hostilities that have been going on for almost two months.
This is the biggest increase in tensions since the 2006 war between Israel and the Lebanese Shiite group.
So far, within the scope of the current tensions, approximately 123 people have been killed: 11 in Israel – seven soldiers and four civilians – and at least 112 in Lebanon, including 81 members of Hezbollah, 12 members of the Palestinian militias, two soldiers and 17 civilians, including three journalists and three children.
Israel evacuated more than 60,000 people from communities in the north of the country, while the wave of violence forced the displacement of about 55,000 people in Lebanon.
On Wednesday, Israel’s Defense Minister said Israel will take action against Hezbollah in Lebanon, while slowing its offensive in Gaza, to stop the Shiite movement’s incursions across the border and prevent outright attacks like those verified.
Source: DN
