Hezbollah warns full-scale war may end Israeli presence in north ‘once and for all’

Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem warned Saturday that full-scale war will not bring residents of northern Israel home, but rather end their presence there “once and for all,” as Hezbollah attacks on the north and Israel strikes in Lebanon continued.

“[Israeli Defense Minister Yoav] Gallant threatens us that if we don’t stop the attacks, he will attack Lebanon to return the residents of the north to their homes,” he said, in a statement quoted in Hebrew media.

“I say to Gallant that this war will not only cause the residents to not return to their homes but will push their return further and further away and is likely to end their presence once and for all,” he added.

At the same time, a senior Israeli military official cited by The Wall Street Journal said Saturday that intensifying Israeli operations was the only way to end clashes with Hezbollah on the northern border with Lebanon.

“There is a way out and it’s to escalate,” the official argued. “Israel cannot stop right now. It’s dangerous for the whole region.” READ MORE