In a press conference on Wednesday night, Israeli Minister Benny Gantz issued a warning to Hezbollah, stating that Israel’s military will take action to remove the group from the border with Lebanon if its attacks continue. Gantz emphasized that time for a diplomatic solution is running out and called on the world and the Lebanese government to intervene and prevent militants from firing on northern Israel. The cross-border exchanges of fire have been escalating since Hamas’s attacks on Israel on October 7th, raising concerns that the conflict in Gaza could spread across the region.
Gantz highlighted the need for change in the situation on Israel’s northern border. He stated that if the world and the Lebanese government fail to act and distance Hezbollah from the border, the IDF will take matters into their own hands. This warning comes as Hezbollah has increased rocket fire and the use of weaponized drones, resulting in prompt responses from Israeli war planes.
In response to the Israeli military’s actions, Lebanese state media reported that an Israeli air strike killed a Hezbollah fighter and two of his relatives in a town near the border. The attack targeted a house in Bint Jbeil, about 2 kilometers from the border. One of the victims, Ibrahim Bazzi, was an Australian citizen who was visiting his family in Lebanon.
Hezbollah, a Shia Muslim organization, is designated as a terrorist organization by Western states, Israel, Gulf Arab countries, and the Arab League. Despite this designation, the group praised the cross-border attack launched by Hamas gunmen on southern Israel on October 7th, which resulted in numerous casualties. In Gaza, the conflict has taken a devastating toll, with over 21,100 people killed, most of whom were children and women, during 11 weeks of fighting.
As Israel broadens its ground offensive in Gaza, thousands of Palestinian families are searching for shelter. The situation continues to escalate, raising concerns about the impact of the conflict on the region. It is crucial for the international community to actively engage in finding a diplomatic solution and preventing further violence.
