Israel Says Lebanon to Pay Price of Hizbullah Attack
Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon has warned Lebanon that it would “pay the price” of any attack carried out by Hizbullah on the Jewish state.
Hizbullah and Hamas are armed with tens of thousands of rockets of different types and on the day they receive the order, “they’ll fire them at our cities and civilians,” Ya'alon said during an Independence Day speech he delivered in Herzliya on Tuesday.
“Lebanese citizens and their leaders must understand that for every Hizbullah attack on us, the organization and Lebanon itself will be considered responsible and will pay the price,” he said.
Conventional military threats have decreased, but “terrorist organizations,” rockets, missiles and Iran remain a danger, he said.
“Although Hizbullah is busy these months with combat on behalf of the regime of (Syrian President) Bashar Assad, it is ready for a conflict with Israel, with Iranian and Syrian assistance,” the minister added.
The bodies of several Hizbullah fighters allegedly killed in Syria have been recently brought to Lebanon for burial. But the party hasn't publicly disclosed how the men were killed, or where.
Yaalon called Iran's nuclear program "the most significant threat" to the world, the progress of which was proof "Tehran wasn't impressed by the steps taken so far."
"The Western states must understand that only assertive action will curb the threat. Only forcing the Iranian regime to choose between a bomb or survival will bring Iran to halt the project."
"The world should lead the campaign against Iran, but Israel must prepare for the possibility that it will have to defend itself on its own," Yaalon said.
Also Tuesday, in a lengthy interview with Israel Radio, Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz said 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.
He called Israel’s deterrent capability “significant.”
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