Minister: Israel could take Lebanon back to the "Stone Age"
The USA anticipates an escalation of tensions between Israel and Lebanon. Israeli Defense Minister Galant seems to be trying to alleviate concerns and states: "We don't want a war." However, he adds: "We prepare for 'every scenario' and can cause 'massive damage'."
Israel, according to Defense Minister Joav Galant, does not want a war in Lebanon. "We don't want a war, but we prepare for every scenario," Galant told reporters during a visit to Washington. "Hezbollah knows very well that we can cause massive damage in Lebanon if a war breaks out," he continued. The Israeli army can "push Lebanon back to the Stone Age, but we don't want that."
The radical Islamist Hezbollah militia in Lebanon has been attacking northern Israel with rockets and drones since the start of the war between Israel and the radical Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Israel responds to the shelling with attacks on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon.
The Iran-backed and Hamas-affiliated Shia militia controls the area right behind Israel's northern border. Given the threats from both sides, the fear of a war has grown in the past few days.
The USA and other Israeli allies are making efforts to prevent a military escalation. A US government representative stated, "We are having 'intensive talks' with Israel, Lebanon, and other actors." No side aims for a "larger escalation." US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated during a meeting with Galant on Tuesday that a war with Hezbollah "could have terrible consequences for the Middle East."
UN Humanitarian Coordinator Martin Griffiths expressed concern. A war in Lebanon could have "apocalyptic" consequences and spread into a regional conflict. "It's very alarming."
Israel's preparations for potential conflicts with Hezbollah in Lebanon, as indicated by Defense Minister Joav Galant, emphasize a desire to avoid war but readiness for any scenario. However, the ongoing Wars and Conflicts in the region, including the recent tensions between Israel and Lebanon, have fueled fears of a wider escalation, with Hezbollah's bombardments of northern Israel and Israel's subsequent retaliation impacting Politics and heightening the danger of a larger conflict.
