'WE WILL RETURN LEBANON TO THE STONE AGE'

Defense minister warns Hezbollah: We won't hesitate to unleash all our power

"Make no mistake, we do not want war, but we are ready to protect our citizens, our soldiers, and our sovereignty," Gallant stresses while visiting the northern border.

 

i24NEWS and Israel Hayom 

Aug 9, 2023

 

 

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi (second from left) and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant near the border with Lebanon, March 16, 2023

 

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned Hezbollah and its leader Hassan Nasrallah Tuesday that Israel "will not hesitate to use all our power" against the Lebanese terror group.

"I warn Hezbollah, Nasrallah – not to make a mistake. You have made mistakes in the past, you have paid very heavy prices. If heaven forbid, an escalation or conflict develops here, we will return Lebanon to the Stone Age. We will not hesitate to use all our power, and wear down every inch of Hezbollah and Lebanon if we have to," Gallant said while touring Israel's northern border with Lebanon.

He also "stressed the importance of speeding up the construction of the [security] barrier," and strengthening Israeli forces "in the face of the growing challenges" in the area.

"I arrived this morning at the northern border, in order to closely follow the events that have been happening here lately. I met here with the commanders of the IDF and the fighters - we have excellent commanders and determined fighters," Gallant said.

The defense minister visited the "Galil" Division 91 together with the commander of the Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Uri Gordin, and other senior officers, where he "observed and assessed the situation in the Har Dov region, and spoke about the latest developments in the sector."

Gallant was also given "an overview of the defense efforts being made along the border, and of the progress of the construction of the barrier that is being carried out these days," an official statement said.

He stressed that Israel "will know how to protect its citizens in any way. The enemy needs to understand that when it comes to Israel's security - we are all united. Make no mistakes, we do not want war, but we are ready to protect our citizens, our soldiers, and our sovereignty.