Tension in the border region with Lebanon has grown in recent weeks. They don’t want war, says Israel’s Defense Minister Galant. And still directs clear words to the neighboring country.
Israel’s Defense Minister Joav Galant warned on Tuesday that neighboring Lebanon would be “taken back to the Stone Age” in the event of a new war with the Hezbollah militia active there. With these statements, Galant reacted to growing tensions in the border region in recent weeks.
Israel had recently accused Hezbollah of increased provocations, such as setting up two tents in the disputed border area. Tensions also arose around the divided border town of Ghajar. The Lebanese Hezbollah is a close ally of Iran and receives support from there. At the same time, the organization regards Israel as its archenemy and is fighting the neighboring country.
Visiting the border area, Galant said of internal disputes over judicial reform in Israel: “The enemy must understand that we are all united when it comes to Israel’s security. I warn Hezbollah and (Hezbollah chief) Nasrallah to make no mistake.” They would have paid a high price for such mistakes in the past.
Galant: If necessary, will attack “every meter” in Lebanon
In the event of war, “we will not hesitate to use our full strength,” Galant said. If necessary, they would attack “every meter” in Lebanon. “We don’t want war, but we are ready to defend our citizens, our soldiers and our sovereignty.”
The Unifil blue helmets have been monitoring the border area between Israel and Lebanon since 1978. The two countries are officially at war. The last time there was a month-long war between the two sides was in 2006. There were repeated tensions at the border afterwards.
Source: Stern
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