Israel Threatens to Alter Security Landscape Amid Escalating Tensions with Hezbollah
In response to repeated attacks by the Lebanese group Hezbollah, Israel has issued a stern warning, declaring its intention to “change the security situation in the north.” Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari conveyed this message on Sunday, emphasizing that the current security conditions were untenable for residents in the northern region.
“We have action plans to change the situation,” Hagari stated, as reported by The Times of Israel. He cautioned that Hezbollah and the Lebanese government would bear responsibility for any attacks originating from Lebanon. Furthermore, he asserted that Lebanese citizens would pay the price for the perceived anarchy and Hezbollah’s alignment with the Islamic State, referencing Hamas.
Hagari pointed out the Israeli Army’s operations in the Gaza port, highlighting the deployment of long-range launchers in the area. The spokesperson emphasized that the front against Hezbollah and potential threats from Lebanon would remain active.
Hezbollah’s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, countered Israel’s warnings on Saturday, revealing that his armed wing had employed new weapons and targeted new locations in Israel. Nasrallah asserted the ongoing activation of the front against Israel, indicating a possibility of the local conflict escalating into a full-blown war.
Nasrallah claimed a quantitative improvement in the group’s operations, including the size and number of targets, as well as the introduction of new weapon types. He disclosed the use of a Burkan missile capable of carrying a substantial explosive charge and the initiation of armed drone operations.
The Hezbollah leader recalled the recent attack on the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona in retaliation for an airstrike that claimed the lives of three girls and their grandmother.
In response, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant accused Hezbollah of dragging Lebanon into a potential war and warned of consequences. He stated, “Those who will pay the price are, first of all, the Lebanese citizens. What we are doing in Gaza, we know how to do in Beirut.” The escalating rhetoric raises concerns about the volatile situation in the region and the potential for heightened conflict.
As Defense Minister Yoav Gallant surveys the northern border, he issued a stark warning to Hezbollah that their ‘grave mistake’ will cause Lebanese civilians to pay a heavy price.https://t.co/WHklGe8hn8
— World Israel News (@worldisraelnews) November 13, 2023