Netanyahu tells Hezbollah to 'look at what happened' to Hamas
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday warned Hezbollah to look at "what happened to their friends (Hamas)" in Gaza, assuring Israeli troops on Lebanon’s border that "this is what will happen here in the north" should a bigger war erupt.
Netanyahu visited an Israeli army base on the northern border with Lebanon during attacks by Hezbollah.
"I chose to come to Kiryat Shmona on the day of shelling on us, of anti-tank fire. I very much appreciate the service you and your friends are doing here, to protect our northern borders and also to send a message to Hezbollah," Netanyahu declared.
"Hezbollah got us massively wrong in 2006, and is getting us massively wrong now. It thought we were ‘spider webs’, suddenly to see what a "spider" we are. It sees here tremendous power, the unification of a people, a determination to do whatever is necessary to restore security to the north, and I tell you -- this is my policy," the Israeli PM added.
"We will do everything to restore security to the north and allow your families, because many of you are local, to return home safely and know that we cannot be messed with. We will do whatever it takes. Of course, we prefer that this be done without a wide campaign, but that will not stop us," Netanyahu added, referring to a possible military intervention if diplomatic efforts fail, a key point reiterated by several of Israel's leaders.
Israel killed a top Hezbollah military commander in a strike on south Lebanon on Monday, adding to fears the conflict in Gaza could spread. The killing of Hamas' deputy leader in Beirut’s southern suburbs last week has also raised fears of a wider conflagration.
Nearly three months of cross-border fire have killed more than 180 people in Lebanon, including over 135 Hezbollah fighters, but also more than 20 civilians including three journalists. In northern Israel, nine soldiers and at least four civilians have been killed, according to Israeli authorities.
The fighting has also displaced tens of thousands of Israeli and Lebanese residents on both sides of the border.
Source: Naharnet
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