Benny Gantz . Photo: Nir Elias / Reuters
Former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz declared on Sunday in Washington that Israel is underestimating the threat posed by the Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah at its northern border. He called for a full-scale war against the Shiite group in Lebanon, reports EFE and AFP.
“The time for action in the north has arrived, and, in fact, it is already late,” Gantz said during his speech at a Middle East forum that drew significant attention in Israeli media.
Gantz argued that the situation in Gaza is under more control as Israeli forces “have reached a decisive point in the campaign.” This, he said, allows Israel to focus on the northern front, where daily clashes with Hezbollah continue.
“Our real problem is not Hamas, but Iran and its proxies in the region,” Gantz emphasized. He added that Israel has the capability to strike Lebanon if necessary.
Gantz also criticized the Israeli government’s evacuation orders issued to communities near the Lebanese border, saying that only towns and kibbutzim closest to the border should have been evacuated, rather than tens of thousands of people.
Since the start of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Hezbollah has openly supported its ally, Hamas, and the Palestinians in Gaza, engaging in near-daily exchanges of fire with the Israeli military.
