Israel ready to enter war with Hezbollah, Netanyahu says
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo: Getty Images)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells IDF reservists that Israel prefers to restore security in the area near the northern town of Kiryat Shmona without engaging in a war with Hezbollah. However, Israel is prepared to do so, reports The Times of Israel.
"Hezbollah got us wrong in a major way in 2006, and is getting us seriously wrong even now. It sees here tremendous power, the unity of a people, a determination to do whatever is necessary to restore security to the north, and I tell you – this is my policy," he says.
Netanyahu addresses soldiers a few hours after a Hezbollah anti-tank missile hit the city.
"Of course, we prefer that this be done without a widespread campaign, but that will not stop us. We gave them an example of what is happening to their friends in the south; this is what will happen here in the north. We will do everything to restore security," he states.
Background
At the end of last year, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz warned Hezbollah that the IDF would take action to push militants away from the Lebanon border if attacks didn’t cease.
Earlier on January 6, Israeli forces struck southern Lebanon after around 40 rockets were fired early morning from the northern part of Israel.
On December 20 last year, Israeli Defense Forces jets targeted a Hezbollah operational command center in Lebanon.
Earlier, Israeli air defense intercepted one of the planes that penetrated the country's territory from Lebanon. The other two crashed.
