Netanyahu says Israel will not hesitate to launch ‘wide-ranging campaign’ against Hezbollah if it is necessary to secure the northern border.
By David Rosenberg, World Israel News
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the Iranian-backed Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah Monday that Israel will do “whatever is necessary” to secure the country’s northern frontier.
Speaking during a visit with the IDF’s 769th ‘Hiram’ Brigade stationed on the Lebanese border, Netanyahu said that Hezbollah appeared to be repeating its “mistake” of 2006, referencing the Second Lebanon war, sparked by cross border attacks Hezbollah carried out against IDF forces in northern Israel.
“I chose to come to Kiryat Shemona on a day when we are being fired on with anti-tank rockets. I greatly appreciate the service that you and your friends are doing here to defend our northern border and also to send a message to Hezbollah.”
“Hezbollah made a big mistake with us in 2006 and it is also doing so now. It thought that we were like ‘spider’s cobwebs’.”
“Suddenly it sees what kind of ‘spider’. It sees great force here, the unity of the people, the determination to do everything necessary to restore security to the north. I tell you – this is my policy.”
Tens of thousands of Israelis living in northern Israel remain evacuated and barred from returning to their homes, amid the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, which has seen sporadic rocket fire, anti-tank missile attacks, and frequent attacks by explosive-laden suicide drone aircraft.
Netanyahu vowed to bring security to northern Israel – including a “wide-ranging” military campaign if necessary.
“We will do everything to restore security to the north and allow your families –because many of you are from here – to return home in safety and to know that we are not to be trifled with.”
“We will do whatever is necessary. Of course, we prefer that this be done without a wide-ranging campaign, but that will not stop us.”
“We have given it an example of what is happening to its friends in the south; this is what will happen here in the north. We will do everything to restore security.”
The premier’s comments come just hours after a senior Hezbollah terrorist leader was killed in an apparent Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon.
Wissam al-Tawil, the deputy head of the elite Radwan terror squad, died Monday in an explosion in the town of Majdal Selm.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to arrive in Israel Monday evening as part of his Middle East tour, aimed at de-escalating tensions in the region, in particular on the Israel-Lebanon border.
Earlier on Monday, terrorists fired multiple anti-tank missiles from southern Lebanon into northern Israel.
On Sunday, the Mount Meron area of northern Israel was hit by a barrage of rockets.
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