Netanyahu says Israel prepared for 'very strong action' on Lebanon front

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toured the northern Israeli settlement of Kiryat Shmona on Wednesday, emphasizing Israel's readiness to take “decisive” action against threats from Lebanon.

Netanyahu also visited an observation point in the settlement, where he was briefed on the recent fires sparked by Hezbollah attacks and the firefighting efforts.

"At the beginning of the war, we said that we would restore security to both the south and the north -- and we did," Netanyahu said.

"Today I am at the border in the north with our heroic warriors and commanders, and I am also here with the firefighters. Yesterday, the ground was on fire here, and I'm glad you put it out, but the ground was also burning in Lebanon," he added.

Netanyahu also warned against any attacks on Israel, stating: "Whoever thinks that they will hurt us and we will sit idly by is making a big mistake. We are prepared for very strong action in the north. One way or another, we will restore security to the north."

Exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah have intensified over the past week, with repeated Israeli strikes deeper into Lebanese territory.

Netanyahu's far-right coalition partners National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have both called in recent days for urgent action to restore security to northern Israel.

"They burn us here, all Hezbollah strongholds should also burn and be destroyed. WAR!" Ben Gvir said on Tuesday in a Telegram post.

Smotrich said on Monday: "We must move the security strip from inside Israeli territory in the Galilee to southern Lebanon, including a ground invasion, occupation of the territory and distancing Hezbollah terrorists and hundreds of thousands of Lebanese among whom Hezbollah hides to the other side of the Litani river," nearly 30 kilometers north of the border.

The violence since early October has killed at least 455 people in Lebanon, mostly fighters but including 88 civilians, according to an AFP tally.

On the Israeli side, at least 14 soldiers and 11 civilians have been killed, according to the army.