Netanyahu says 'Israel' prepared for strong action in north
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fueling the fire, challenging the Lebanese Resistance to a full-scale war, which the Resistance declared it is prepared for.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a ceremony at 'Mount Herzl' military cemetery on May 13, 2024. (AP)
After making a tour of the northern settlements on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the occupation is prepared for strong action in the North.
Near the Lebanese-Palestinian border, many Israeli settlements are empty and have been targeted with rockets and drones launched by the Islamic Lebanese Resistance - Hezbollah.
In a retaliatory attack, the Lebanese Resistance launched rockets, igniting massive wildfires this week that engulfed swathes of land across northern occupied Palestine.
"Whoever thinks that they can harm us and we will sit idly by is making a big mistake. We are prepared for very strong action in the North. In one way or another we will restore security to the North," Netanyahu said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Ben-Gvir arrived in Kiryat Shmona where the minister, who has become the main subject of scrutiny in Israeli circles, called for war on Lebanon and Hezbollah. The minister called for more intense military actions against Lebanon, saying, "The IDF’s job is to destroy Hezbollah."
Ben-Gvir, who is known for his fanatical views, said that it is unacceptable that occupied northern settlements are coming under the fire of the Resistance, while there is "quiet in Lebanon." "They’re burning [us] here. All Hezbollah strongholds should be burned, they should be destroyed. War!" he cried.
He came under strong criticism from the leader of the opposition, Yair Lapid, for his poor performance on Monday, as he attended a festival in occupied al-Quds instead of overseeing the operations of the Israeli fire service, which his ministry is responsible for.
'Hezbollah is prepared for war'
In response to Israeli statements, Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem said that Hezbollah is prepared for a full-scale war if "Israel" chooses to escalate the situation in Lebanon.
"If Israel wants to wage a full-on war, we are ready for it," Qassem said. "Any Israeli expansion of the war on Lebanon will be met with destruction, devastation, and displacement in Israel."
Qassem's remarks come as tensions between the Israeli occupation and Lebanon are peaking following a series of Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon and subsequent retaliatory attacks from Hezbollah on occupied Palestine.
