Lieberman: No settler will return to north If Hezbollah is close

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
4 Nov 2023 13:54
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The former Israeli Security Minister acknowledges that Israeli settlers will not return to settlements in the North, particularly the lookout points, “as long as they see Hezbollah fighters near the fence.”

Former Israeli Security Minister Avigdor Lieberman speaks on April 26, 2018, at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. (Getty Images via AFP)

Israeli media and former Israeli Security Minister Avigdor Lieberman both concur that the situation in the north of occupied Palestine is intolerable and that the settlers will not return there as long as Hezbollah is present.

"It is not possible to return to any settlement in the North, including Metulla, while they (Hezbollah) are there," Liberman said.

In his interview with Israeli Channel 13, Lieberman acknowledged that Israeli settlers will not return to settlements in the north of the occupied territories, particularly the lookout points, "as long as they see Hezbollah fighters near the fence."

He emphasized that "Israel" must ensure Hezbollah is moved beyond the Litani River before ending the war, and urged the implementation of UN Resolution 1701, stating that there is no alternative as long as Hezbollah remains near the border [ with occupied Palestine].

Northern settlements void of Israeli settlers: Israeli media

Recently, the correspondent of Israeli Kan TV said "there are almost no settlers near the northern borders." More than 60,000 settlers have been evacuated from settlements along the northern borders of occupied Palestine with Lebanon, and the region is experiencing "cautious calm," he added.

Israeli media have previously highlighted the frustration felt by Israeli settlers in the north of occupied Palestine after they were forced to evacuate their settlements following their shelling by the Lebanese Resistance.

In addition, the Israeli emergency authority and occupation army added 14 northern settlements within 5km from the Lebanese border to the evacuation plan funded by the government, following approval from Security Minister Yoav Gallant.

An all-out war is a realistic outcome

Emphasizing the strategic importance of the northern front, Hezbollah Secretary-General, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said in a speech on Friday that "the operations along the border have induced a state of concern, tension, and panic within the enemy's leadership, causing a deterrent effect, and this sentiment is mirrored by the Americans."

Sayyed #Nasrallah: What is happening on our front is extremely important and influential, but it will not remain restricted as such for too long.#Lebanon pic.twitter.com/bOqUsZTgW4
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 3, 2023

He underlined the serious implications for "Israel" if the tensions were to escalate, emphasizing that "the enemy is apprehensive about the potential of this front intensifying further or spiraling into an extensive war," stressing that these concerns are legitimate and present a "very real possibility, and hence the enemy must account for this."

Concluding his message with a stern warning, Sayyed Nasrallah stated, "The Resistance operations in the south serve as an indication to the enemy, which may consider attacking or launching a preemptive operation, that you will be committing the biggest mistake in your history."