Israel has issued a stern warning to Hezbollah, cautioning them against involvement in the ongoing conflict. The Israeli government expressed its readiness to engage in a multi-front war and urged its northern neighbor, Lebanon, to refrain from interfering in the ongoing hostilities with Hamas.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized that Israel does not desire a conflict with Lebanon and is willing to exercise restraint, despite ongoing gunfire exchanges at the border, which have resulted in the loss of at least one Israeli life.
The ongoing conflict involves Israel’s sustained bombardment of Gaza in response to last week’s Hamas attacks, which have tragically claimed the lives of hundreds of Israeli civilians and soldiers. Additionally, Hamas has taken around 155 individuals as captives.
Warnings from military leaders prompted the evacuation of Gaza City residents, as a planned ground offensive into the Palestinian territory looms. It’s reported that around 600,000 people have already evacuated.
Tensions in the region are escalating, with few signs of abatement. Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to “demolish Hamas” and branded them as “bloodthirsty monsters.”
Clashes at the northern border with Lebanon have also erupted, with Israeli Defense Force (IDF) soldiers and Hezbollah militants exchanging rocket and artillery fire. These exchanges have resulted in casualties on both sides, leading to the closure of a 2.5-mile border stretch following the killing of an Israeli civilian in Shtula.
Israel and Lebanon remain technically at war since a significant conflict in 2006 that resulted in over 1,200 casualties in Lebanon and 160 in Israel, the majority of whom were soldiers.
Israel has stressed its reluctance to engage in another war with Lebanon but warned of retaliation should Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Shiite Muslim militia, launch an attack.
Defense Minister Gallant, in a video statement, conveyed their stance: “We have no interest in a war in the north, we don’t want to escalate the situation. If Hezbollah chooses the path of war, it will pay a very heavy price… But if it restrains itself, we’ll respect the situation and keep things the way they are, despite them being in a process of shooting from both sides.”
Recent exchanges of fire between Hezbollah, allied Palestinian factions, and Israel have resulted in casualties, with at least 11 people killed in southern Lebanon and two in Israel.
Both sides at the Lebanon-Israel border have, until recently, adhered to unwritten agreements to prevent escalation. However, the situation has become increasingly precarious, with clashes intensifying.
Admiral Daniel Hagari suggested that Israel was prepared to engage in a multi-front conflict and emphasized that Lebanon must take responsibility for shootings from its territory.
Iran, a key regional player, has warned of its potential involvement if the situation escalates and has suggested that it may target American interests. Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, stated that they conveyed their message to Israel through its allies, warning that if Israel does not cease its actions in Gaza, Iran might not remain a mere observer. He cautioned that the conflict’s scope could expand, causing significant damage to American interests.
Analysts have noted that Hezbollah is more likely to escalate its involvement if Israel launches a ground offensive in Gaza, and Iran, which supports Hamas and Hezbollah, has warned that such an offensive could broaden the conflict across the Middle East.
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SOURCE
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12633353/Israel-warns-Hezbollah-Hamas-Minister-does-NOT-want-war-north-Iran-backed-militia-Lebanon.html