Netanyahu warns Hezbollah of the consequences of starting a war against Israel

As Israel is making great strides towards infiltrating Hamas positions in Khan Younis, in the heart of Gaza, Lebonan's Hezbollah launches air strikes on Israel.

2023 11 13T165939Z 1 LYNXMPEJAC0NL RTROPTP 4 ISRAEL PALESTINIANS LEBANON scaled
Smoke and flames rise as seen from Israel-Lebanon border in northern Israel, November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

On Thursday, December 7, the Prime Minister of Israel warned Lebanon’s Hezbollah that if this militant group decides to start an “all-out war” against Israel, it will respond by bombing Beirut and southern Lebanon, as it did in the Gaza Strip.

Benjamin Netanyahu said during a visit to the northern command headquarters of Israel’s army: “If Hezbollah decides to start a full-scale war, then we will practically turn Beirut and South Lebanon, which are not far from here, into Gaza and Khan Yunis.” Netanyahu expressed these words hours after his country and Lebanon’s Hezbollah exchanged fire.

According to Israeli sources, Defence Minister Yoav Galant also accompanied Netanyahu during this visit.

The Prime Minister of Israel emphasized that his country is determined to restore security on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon.

Yesterday, several rockets were fired from Syria and Lebanon towards Israel, and Israel responded by targeting a number of Hezbollah positions.As Israeli sources have reported, during the clashes between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah on Thursday, an Israeli 60-year old civilian was killed and two Israeli soldiers were wounded.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, in a call with his Israeli counterpart, emphasized the support of the United States for Israel’s right to defend itself and the importance of permanent termination of Hamas threats against Israel’s security.

Lloyd Austin expressed concern over the exchange of fire between Hezbollah and the Israeli army, and also condemned the increasing attacks by the Yemeni Houthis in the Red Sea and said that these attacks threaten the freedom of navigation and the flow of trade.

Referring to the Yemeni Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, John Feiner, the deputy national security adviser of the US President, said that Washington believes that the IRGC (Islamic Republic Gaurd Corps) is involved in the planning, execution and authorisation of missile and drone attacks against Israel and shipping lines in the Red Sea.

Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, December 7, quoting American government officials, that the United States and Israel disagree on how to respond to the Houthi attacks.

According to this report, the United States asked Israel to leave the response to the Houthi attacks to the American military, because Israel’s response to these attacks may lead to the risk of spreading conflicts in the region.

Both Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah are also Shia proxy groups that enjoy financial backing and support of the Islamic Repulic of Iran.
More from Qonversations

News

Screenshot 2024 09 18 at 10.24.15 AM

50-year mystery solved: New blood group discovery could save thousands

News

Kashim Shettima

Vaccine-derived polio in Nigeria: Can a new task force eradicate the threat?

News

Screenshot 2024 09 04 at 5.25.40 PM

Nigeria faces severe fuel shortages amidst rising prices and long queues

News

India Laos

Indian Embassy in Laos successfully rescues 47 nationals from cyber-scam centres

Front of mind