Hagari addresses Israel: 'Hezbollah bringing us to brink of escalation'
Iran-backed Hezbollah last week launched the largest volleys of rockets and drones yet in the eight months it has been exchanging fire with the Israeli military, in parallel with the Gaza war.
Intensified cross-border fire from Lebanon's Hezbollah movement into Israel could trigger serious escalation, the Israeli military said on Sunday.
"Hezbollah’s increasing aggression is bringing us to the brink of what could be a wider escalation, one that could have devastating consequences for Lebanon and the entire region," Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a video statement in English.
The IDF later clarified, "This is not a threat, but a message to the international community," Maariv reported.
In his announcement, Hagari said that Hezbollah has launched over 5,000 rockets, anti-tank missiles and explosive UAVs into Israel since October 7.
"Hezbollah is jeopardizing the future of Lebanon - so that it can be a shield for Hamas. A shield for the Hamas terrorists who murdered the elderly, raped women, burned children and kidnapped Jews, Muslims, and Christians - during their massacre on October 7," Hagari continued.
Hagari then said that as a result of Hezbollah not abiding by UN Security Council Resolution 1701, the IDF will take the "necessary steps" to protect Israel's civilians.
UN Security Council Resolution 1701
UN Resolution 1701 called for a zone free of armed personnel besides the army of Lebanon. It was instituted at the end of the Second Lebanon War in 2006 when a ceasefire between the different parties was reached.
“[The Security Council] calls for Israel and Lebanon to support a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution based on the following principles and elements:…the establishment between the Blue Line and the Litani river of an area free of any armed personnel, assets, and weapons other than those of the Government of Lebanon," the resolution stated.
Iran-backed Hezbollah last week launched the largest volleys of rockets and drones yet in the eight months it has been exchanging fire with the Israeli military, in parallel with the Gaza war.
The US and France are working on a negotiated settlement to the hostilities along Lebanon's southern border. Hezbollah says it will not halt fire unless Israel's military offensive on Gaza stops.
"October 7 cannot happen again — on any one of Israel’s borders. Israel has a duty to defend the people of Israel. We will fulfill that duty — at all costs," Hagari concluded.
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