Netanyahu Threatens Destruction in Lebanon If Hezbollah Attacks Continue
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said rising tensions with the Hezbollah militia on the border could result in the "destruction" of Lebanon.
Netanyahu said the Israeli army would be proactive in fighting the Iran-backed terror group and had adopted a policy of "strong deterrence in the north" against Hezbollah, according to the Times of Israel.
We have always acted in the north against any attempt by Hezbollah to operate against us. We eradicate terror cells, drive them from the border, and destroy munitions. "We will continue with strong deterrence in the north, and total victory in the south," Netanyahu said, quoted by Al Arabiya.
"It should be clear, we are committed to restoring security in the south and the north. If Hezbollah makes a mistake and engages in all-out war, it will destroy Lebanon with its own hands," Netanyahu warned.
Hezbollah, a long-time ally of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, has stepped up its rhetoric against Israel since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7.
Lebanese militias have also launched cross-border attacks on Israeli targets to which Israel returned fire.
Recently, Israeli troops and Hezbollah members exchanged fire on the Israel-Lebanon border. Both sides claimed to have achieved targets in attacks covering several border areas.
On Friday (1/12), two members of the Hezbollah group and one civilian were killed in an Israeli attack in Lebanon. Hezbollah confirmed the two members killed were Mohammed Mazraani and Wajih Mshek.
Hezbollah sources said Mazraani was killed in his home with his mother, Nasifa, but denied that he was involved in fighting leading up to his death.
