Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Wednesday that Israel is prepared for strong action in northern Israel to restore security “one way or another” amid ongoing hostilities with the Iran-backed Hezbollah. The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which has been fought in parallel with the Gaza war, has escalated in recent days, raising concerns of a broader confrontation between the heavily armed adversaries.
“Whoever thinks that they can harm us and we will sit idly by is making a big mistake. We are prepared for very strong action in the north,” Netanyahu said during a tour of the area. “In one way or another, we will restore security to the north.”
This fighting, the worst hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel since their war in 2006, has forced tens of thousands of people to flee homes on both sides of the border. Israeli strikes have killed around 300 Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon, and approximately 80 civilians have been killed, according to a Reuters tally. Attacks from Lebanon have killed 18 Israeli soldiers and 10 civilians, Israel reports.
Israeli Military Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi mentioned on Tuesday that the army is ready for an offensive along the northern border and that Israel is nearing a decision point.
The U.S. State Department said on Tuesday that Washington does not want to see a full-blown war and is pursuing a diplomatic solution, while emphasizing that Israel has the right to defend itself from Hezbollah.
On Wednesday, Hezbollah, designated a terrorist organization by Washington, announced several operations, including a guided missile attack targeting Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system in Ramot Naftali, about 3 km (2 miles) from the border. Rockets fired from Lebanon have ignited wildfires, burning large areas across northern Israel.
Hezbollah deputy leader Sheikh Naim Qassem told Al Jazeera on Tuesday that the group’s decision was not to widen the war but that it would fight if forced to do so. He stated that the Lebanon front would continue its actions until the Gaza war ends.
Hezbollah, an ally of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, has been attacking Israel in support of Palestinians under Israeli bombardment in Gaza. It has previously said it will cease fire when the Israeli offensive on Gaza stops.
