Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant warned the army was capable of returning Lebanon to the “Stone Age” but insisted Tel Aviv prefers a diplomatic solution, which was not ruled out by a security source at the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation.
At the end of his visit to Washington yesterday, Galant said that Israel “does not want war” against Hezbollah, but that it would cause “severe damage” to Lebanon if diplomatic efforts fail.
At the end of the visit, which lasted several days – “We don’t want war, but we are preparing for all situations,” Galland explained to reporters, adding that “Hezbollah knows very well that we are capable of causing serious damage to Lebanon if a war breaks out.”
In this context, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation – yesterday Wednesday – quoted a security source who said that Israeli options do not rule out reaching an agreement with Lebanon, but that the possibility is low and the security system is preparing.
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation quoted the commander of the 401st Division as saying that the military operation in Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, will end in the coming weeks, after which the third phase will move.
The main front will be a direct confrontation with the north and Hezbollah after the operation in Rafah ends, the authority said, citing a security source.
It revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Army Chief Herzei Halevi were planning military maneuvers in the north and ramping up preparations to expand the conflict with Lebanon.
American position
In Washington, White House National Security Adviser John Kirby, US National Security Adviser Jack Sullivan and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant discuss the war in Gaza, support for Israel and tensions along the Lebanese border.
Kirby added that Sullivan and Gallant were considering working to prevent a second warhead from exploding.
The White House confirmed that efforts were underway to calm the situation on Israel’s northern border through diplomatic means, and Kirby said Washington did not want to see a new war front between Lebanon and Israel and assumed there would be no new war. Interest of any party.
In Beirut, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati stressed the need to strive to prevent Lebanon from becoming a war zone from the south of the country.
Mikati stressed the need to implement international resolutions to put an end to Israel’s ambitions.
Since the Palestinian Hamas movement launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, Hezbollah and Israel have exchanged bombings on Lebanon’s southern border on an almost daily basis.
Tensions between the two parties have risen in recent days with fears of a full-scale war that could spark a regional conflict.
According to Gallant, Israel has killed more than 400 Hezbollah “terrorists” in recent months.
