Israeli Defense Minister's Warning

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant recently issued a threat to the residents of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. He warned that if a war were to break out between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah, the people of Beirut could face a fate similar to that of the residents of the Gaza Strip.

Accusations Against Hezbollah

Gallant accused the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, of trying to start a war with Israel and making mistakes in the process. He claimed that Hezbollah's aggression was no longer just a provocation, and that Israel could do to Beirut what they did to Gaza.

Hope for Peaceful Behavior

Gallant expressed his hope that Hezbollah would "behave properly" and that Nasrallah would stop provoking Israel. He made it clear that Israel would not accept this aggression and that the citizens of Lebanon would pay the price for any mistakes made by Hezbollah.

Hezbollah's Actions

Shortly after Gallant's threats, Nasrallah announced that Hezbollah fighters had been targeting Israel using new weapons from southern Lebanon. He also mentioned the use of reconnaissance drones in Israeli territory. Nasrallah claimed that Israel's actions aimed to subjugate the people of the region and suppress their legitimate rights.

International Support

Nasrallah stated that the only countries supporting Israeli aggression were the United States and Britain. He emphasized that the American administration was managing the battle and called for pressure to be placed on them. Nasrallah also mentioned that the targeting of American bases in Iraq and Syria was in response to the aggression against Gaza.

Escalation of Violence

Both sides have engaged in mutual bombing and attacks. Israel carried out its first strike deep into Lebanese territory, while Hezbollah reported injuries among their ranks from cross-border attacks on Israeli soldiers. The conflict has primarily been limited to the border area between Lebanon and Israel since the start of the war in Gaza.

Loss of Lives

Hezbollah mourned the deaths of seven members who were killed by Israeli fire, bringing the total number of fighters killed to 68. The escalation has resulted in 90 deaths on the Lebanese side, including civilians, while the Israeli army reported the killing of at least six soldiers and two settlers.

Source: Al Jazeera + agencies