Israel has begun evacuating residents of villages near the border with Lebanon as it threatens to “destroy” the country if its Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah goes to war with Hamas terrorists.
The Israeli army ordered people living in 28 communities within 1.2 miles of the border with Lebanon after an exchange of rocket fire Sunday with the Lebanese Shiite militia, Hezbollah.
The civilians will be housed in “state-funded boarding houses” in cities in central Israel that are considered safer, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said — although Hezbollah weapons are feared to be able to reach Tel Aviv, according to the Times of Israel.
Israeli military officials are now warning Lebanon to back off.
Tzachi Hanegbi, an Israeli national security adviser, warned Hezbollah in a televised briefing on Monday to stop its attacks or count on “the destruction of Lebanon.”
IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari also said Hezbollah would face a “deadly” response if it continued to carry out attacks against Israel.
Israel has begun evacuating residents near the border with Lebanon.AFP via Getty Images The two countries exchanged rocket fire on Sunday.WAEL HAMZEH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
“Hezbollah carried out several attacks yesterday to try to divert our operational efforts [away from the Gaza Strip]under the direction and support of Iran, while endangering the Lebanese state and its people,” he said in a press conference, according to the Times of Israel.
“We have increased our forces on the northern border, and are responding aggressively to any activity against us.
“If Hezbollah dares to test us, the reaction will be deadly,” he said, adding: “The United States gives us full support.”
The warning came after the IDF announced Hezbollah had fired several anti-tank missiles on Sunday — injuring at least four civilians.
A man in his 40s and a soldier were also killed in the attack, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Hezbollah Deputy Chief Naim Qassem had vowed on Friday that Lebanon would join the fight “when the time comes to act.” Reuters
Hezbollah Deputy Chief Naim Qassem has vowed on Friday that Lebanon will join the fight “when the time comes to act.”
He told supporters in the suburbs of Beirut that Hezbollah rejected foreign calls for the Lebanese militant group not to get involved, as Hezbollah leaders were meeting with Iran’s foreign minister to discuss the situation.
“Behind the scenes calling us by the great powers, the Arab countries, the envoys of the United Nations, directly and indirectly, telling us not to intervene will have no effect,” Qassem said.
“Hizbullah knows its job very well,” he continued. “We are ready and prepared, fully prepared, and we are following developments from time to time.”
Iran also warned Israel on Sunday of a possible regional war, according to The Telegraph.
“If Zionist aggression does not stop, the hands of all parties in the region will be triggered,” said Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian.
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
