Netanyahu sends strong warning to Hezbollah: ‘Israel is ready for a very intense operation on the border with Lebanon’

The exchanges of fire that began in October have left 455 dead in Lebanon, mostly combatants but also 88 civilians, according to an AFP count. On the Israeli side, at least 14 soldiers and 11 civilians have been killed, according to the army.
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(Also: ‘There is no clear position’: what is known about the negotiations between Israel and Hamas to reach a truce in the Gaza Strip)

Israel also has more than 60,000 people evacuated from northern towns near the border, who still cannot return due to the security risk, which is why more and more voices in Israel believe that a war against Hezbollah is the only option.
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In the midst of this panorama, Netanyahu saw first-hand this Wednesday the security situation in the north by the commander of the 769th brigade operating in the area, Avraham Marciano; and Reserve Brigadier General Alon Friedman.

“Whoever thinks that they will harm us and we will sit idly by is making a big mistake. We are prepared for very strong action in the north. One way or another we will restore security in the north,” the prime minister promised.

Netanyahu also visited the fire crews and the reservist squad that worked between Monday and Tuesday to extinguish the fires. that exploded in the area caused by the launch of rockets and projectiles by Hezbollah.
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​Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi also visited troops on the northern border on Tuesday, while the war cabinet held an emergency meeting on Tuesday night to address this issue.

“We are appr
oaching the point where a decision will have to be made, and the Israeli defense forces are prepared for this decision,” Halevi said.
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(Keep reading: The reasons that lead Israel to continue its offensive in Gaza despite pressure from the international community)

The far-right partners of the government coalition, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have also called in recent days for urgent action to restore security in northern Israel.

“They burn us here, all Hezbollah strongholds must also burn and be destroyed. WAR!” Ben Gvir posted Tuesday on the Telegram network.

Smotrich, for his part, stated on Monday that “we must move the security strip from within Israel’s territory in the Galilee to southern Lebanon, including a ground invasion, the occupation of the territory and the removal of Hezbollah terrorists.”