Defense Minister Yoav Gallant firmly stated on Thursday that Israel is prepared to counter Hezbollah “with all its might” if the Lebanese group persists in its hostilities across the border.
“We will not allow the Hezbollah militia to destabilize the border and the region,” Gallant declared in a public statement aimed at the Lebanese people, underscoring Israel’s readiness to respond forcefully to further aggression from Hezbollah.
This statement comes amid ongoing exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, which have intensified since the October 7 attack by Hamas that escalated into a conflict in Gaza. The situation has further escalated following Israel’s recent airstrike in Beirut, which resulted in the death of Hezbollah’s top military commander, Fuad Shukr.
Gallant also referenced the historical conflict of 2006, reminding Lebanon of the severe consequences of past wars and urging caution to avoid repeating such devastating conflicts. The 34-day war in July-August 2006 claimed over 1,200 lives in Lebanon, predominantly civilians, and around 160 Israeli lives, mostly soldiers.
