Israeli’s Prime Minister and President toured the border of North Israel, met with military commanders on Wednesday, amidst growing tensions with Hezbollah forces in Lebanon and mounting concerns by global leaders that a wider war is looming. During his visit, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted an online video of himself making statement saying that the Israeli forces are “resolute and dedicated to winning and nothing less.”
These visits by Israeli officials along the Lebanese borders were as Israel’s Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, ended four days’ discussions in Washington with senior Biden administration officials who have been emphasizing on various instances about diplomatic solution to Hezbollah tensions. Since 7th October attack by Hamas set off fighting between that group and Israel in the Gaza Strip, there has been increased aggression against Israel.
On Tuesday while meeting Gallant, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said “Hezbollah’s provocations threaten to drag the Israeli and Lebanese people into a war they do not want”. He further explained that “this would be disastrous for Lebanon and devastating for innocent Israelis and Lebanese civilians.”
In this same meeting, Gallant said we were working toward agreement but went on to say that his country will establish security in north despite all else. “We should also talk about being prepared for any eventuality”, he added pointing out how Lebanon could “be taken back to Stone Age” by them but they didn’t want to do it.
According to Israeli news outlets on Thursday more troops had been dispatched towards their northern border region. Speaking in an interview on TV show last week Sunday however, Netanyu told public that war in Gaza was moving into lower gear allowing IDF give much more attention now directed at Lebanon.
Similarly on Wednesday Herzl Halevi visited the northern border with Lebanon where he held a situational assessment with local commanders. Military exercises held at North involve IDF soldiers training for “extreme scenarios”. On Wednesday evening an IDF spokesperson announced that their fighter jets had hit a Hezbollah military structure and several other sites in southern Lebanon.
Last week, Hezbollah head Hassan Nasrallah said his group did not desire a wider conflict but was ready for one. “We have prepared ourselves for the most difficult days. If war is imposed, the resistance will fight without constraints, rules or limits.”
