Israel Army Chief Praises Deterrence against Hizbullah Action
Israeli army chief Benny Gantz said Tuesday that Israel's military capabilities were deterring Hizbullah from carrying out attacks against the Jewish state.
“Hizbullah knows very well what would happen to it if war breaks out. Lebanon knows what will happen if war breaks out. Therefore, I believe they are deterred,” Gantz said in an interview with Israel Radio.
He called Israel’s deterrent capability “significant.”
Gantz also made a veiled threat to Hamas that rules the Gaza Strip.
He said the quiet on the frontier with Gaza was the result of Israel's offensive on the Strip in November, but if it did not continue, Gaza “would get hurt” and Israel would not hesitate to repeat its actions or expand its operations to achieve that quiet.
“If there are rockets, it’s because Hamas either enabled it or didn’t exercise its control of the area. It’s Hamas’ responsibility and we will hold it responsible,” he warned.
Turning to Iran, Gantz said Israel can strike any Iranian nuclear installation on its own and is holding intense discussions between military and political leaders to prepare for the eventuality.
“The Iranian challenge is very significant and we must approach it with a responsible long-term strategy,” he said.
His interview was aired on the occasion of Israel's Independence Day, marking 65 years since the declaration of statehood on May 14, 1948, which is celebrated according to the Jewish calendar and this year falls on April 16.
Gantz warned at a Memorial Day ceremony on Sunday that Israel's “sword is sharper than ever. Its lethal blade reaches every range.”
There is no place or target that the Israeli army's long arm can't reach, he said.
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