Title: Israel Warns Hezbollah of “Severe Consequences” if Attacked
Subtitle: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautions against regional conflict amid escalating tensions
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a strong warning to Lebanon’s Hezbollah on Saturday in response to the group’s leader’s remarks about a potential regional war. Netanyahu stated that if Hezbollah were to attack Israel, it would face “severe consequences.” This threat comes as tensions continue to rise between Israel and Hezbollah since the onset of the Gaza war on October 7.
Hezbollah’s chief, Hassan Nasrallah, addressed the possibility of a regional conflict during a televised speech on Friday. Nasrallah placed responsibility for the potential escalation firmly on the United States, claiming that the ongoing war on Gaza and its people is the result of American influence. He warned that if attacks on Gaza persist, the war between Israel and Hamas could spread to the north, referring to Hezbollah’s increased involvement along Israel’s northern border.
“The Americans must quickly stop the aggression on Gaza if they want to prevent a regional war,” Nasrallah declared, portraying Israel as a mere tool of execution in the United States’ larger agenda.
In response to the growing tensions, the United States expressed its commitment to prevent the Gaza conflict from further escalating into a larger regional conflict. The White House made it clear that Hezbollah should not attempt to take advantage of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Furthermore, the US issued a stern warning, stating that it does not want to witness the expansion of the conflict into Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Israel has been launching massive retaliatory assaults against Gaza’s Hamas rulers since the October 7th attack that claimed the lives of at least 1,400 people. The ongoing Israeli strikes have resulted in the deaths of 9,227 Palestinians, including 3,826 children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
As the situation remains critical, both Israel and Hezbollah must exercise caution to prevent further deterioration of the conflict, which risks igniting a wider regional war. The international community continues its efforts to de-escalate tensions and find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip.
(With inputs from agencies)