Hezbollah issues a stark warning about significant consequences if Israel escalates the conflict into Lebanon, highlighting the potential for substantial losses on both sides.

Israel has been cautioned by Hezbollah’s second-in-command that engaging in a complete war with Lebanon would result in “substantial casualties on both ends” and force hundreds of thousands more Israelis to flee from the northern part of the country.

On Saturday, Naim Qassem gave his remarks while Israel’s Channel 13 announced that their Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was about to initiate a forceful and wide-ranging military action on the northern boundary of Lebanon.

Since Israel initiated its deadly war on Gaza in October, there has been frequent exchange of fire between Hezbollah and the Israeli military along the border separating Lebanon from Israel.

The Lebanese militant group stated that their assaults on Israel are a show of support for the people in Gaza, and they will cease when the conflict concludes.

The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has caused the deaths of numerous individuals in Israel, hundreds in Lebanon, and led to tens of thousands being displaced on either side of the border.

According to the AFP news agency, Qassem stated in Beirut that Hezbollah has no plans of engaging in a war as they do not believe it would be beneficial.

He stated that in the event Israel initiates a war, they will confront it and suffer significant casualties on both sides.

“We issue a warning to those who believe that such a war would enable 100,000 displaced people to return home – be prepared for dealing with hundreds of thousands more displaced individuals.”

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According to al-Manar TV in Lebanon, he stated that Hezbollah will provide ongoing support for Gaza from their location as long as the conflict persists and will increase aid in response to Israeli aggression.

According to Channel 13 in Israel, a senior official has stated that Netanyahu intends to carry out a significant attack on Hezbollah soon. However, no specific date for the escalation of this assault has been scheduled yet.

No comment has been issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Last week, Yoav Gallant, Israel’s Defense Minister pronounced that Israeli troops were on the brink of accomplishing their objective in Gaza. He also mentioned shifting attention to Lebanon as they proceed with operations at the country’s northern border.
Gallant informed soldiers stationed at Israel’s northern border that the “focus is shifting towards the north” and they are approaching completion of their duties in the south.

On the same day, he informed journalists that he had directed the Israeli military to prepare for all possibilities and focus on the northern arena. He also stated that their ultimate goal is to improve security in this area and ensure safe return of citizens.

Action against Hezbollah has been demanded by opposition politicians in Israel.

On Saturday, Benny Gantz – the main political opponent of Netanyahu – censured the government for showing apathy towards inhabitants in Israel’s northern region. In a post on X, he urged that “the use of power and authority against Hezbollah” was necessary to ensure residents could safely return home.

As per AFP’s count, the fatalities caused by Israel’s operations in Lebanon consist of 623 individuals comprising 142 innocent civilians. In contrast, Hezbollah has taken down a total of twenty-four Israeli soldiers and twenty-six non-combatants.

The Israeli military announced that it had conducted airstrikes on alleged Hezbollah arms storehouses at two spots in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley and six locations in the southern region during Saturday evening.

According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, Israel’s strikes on Bekaa caused injuries to a minimum of four individuals who were located approximately 140km (85 miles) away from the Israeli border. Of these victims, three children in the Hermel district were also reported wounded.

On Saturday, Hezbollah asserted that it had carried out a minimum of 12 strikes on Israeli military targets. These included the bombardment sites at Zaura and the warehouses for armaments and emergencies located in Yiftah Elifleet to the northwest of Lake Tiberias.

Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies