Israel threatens military response to Lebanon amid tension with Hezbollah

By Abdel Rauf Arnaut

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israeli leaders on Tuesday threatened to unleash a military response against Lebanon, one day after Tel Aviv shot down a Hezbollah drone amid tension over a maritime border dispute.

“Israel is prepared and ready to act against any threat,” Prime Minister Yair Lapid said during a tour of Israel’s border with Lebanon.

“We are not facing a confrontation, but anyone who tries to harm our sovereignty or the citizens of Israel will very quickly find out that he has made a serious mistake,” he added.

On Monday, the Israeli army said it had shot down a Hezbollah drone after crossing border into Israel.

“Hezbollah’s aggression is unacceptable and could lead the entire region to an unnecessary escalation, especially when Lebanon has a real opportunity to develop its energy resources,” Lapid said.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, for his part, said Israel is keeping a close eye on the financial crisis in Lebanon.

“Lebanon and its leaders are well aware that if they choose the path of fire, they will be harmed and severely burned. And if they choose the path of stability, they will help the citizens of Lebanon,” Gantz said.

Since late 2019, Lebanon has been grappling with a severe economic crisis, including a massive currency depreciation as well as fuel and medical shortages.

“Israel is ready to do a lot to make its neighbors prosper and is ready to act all the time to protect its citizens. We are ready in all dimensions; in the air, at sea, on land and in the cyber sphere,” Gantz said.

Lebanon and Israel are engaged in a dispute over a maritime area that is 860 square kilometers (332 square miles), according to maps sent by both counties to the UN in 2011.

The area is rich in natural gas and oil. Five sessions of indirect negotiations were held between Lebanon and Israel under UN sponsorship and US mediation. The last round of talks was in May 2021 but it was stuck because of major differences.

Last month, the Israeli army destroyed three unarmed drones fired by Hezbollah over the disputed Karish gas field in the Mediterranean Sea.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara