Gallant: Israel doesn’t seek war but ‘knows what to do’ if Hezbollah escalates

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says Israel is not looking for a war with Hezbollah but is preparing for one and “will know what to do” if the terror group decides to escalate.

Speaking to troops at an Iron Dome air defense system battery in northern Israel, Gallant says the country is developing two “significant” alternatives for Lebanon.

“[We are] preparing the military force… and this can happen quickly. On the other hand, the political alternative is being prepared, it is always better,” he says.

“We are not looking for war but we are ready for it. And we will reach a junction, it will be a T junction both for the enemy and for us. If [Hezbollah] chooses to go to war, we will know what to do. If it chooses to go to an agreement, we will respond to this matter,” Gallant says.

“I know it’s not easy, not easy for you and not easy for the residents of the north. There is one thing I can tell you and that is that it is much more difficult for Hezbollah and Lebanon. It is easy to speak from the bunker and make statements,” he says, referring to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

“At the end of the day, there are over 450 terrorists killed [in Lebanon]. The area is hit on a very severe level. Therefore, this burden is placed on the enemy in a much greater way than on us,” Gallant adds.