Gallant warns Israel can return Lebanon to ‘Stone Age’ but doesn’t seek war with Hezbollah

By Jacob Magid

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and Reuters 27 June 2024, 3:17 am

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Defense Minister Yoav Gallant at an honor cordon before a meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (not in picture), at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, June 25, 2024. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/AFP)

WASHINGTON — Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warns during a visit to Washington that Israel’s military is capable of taking Lebanon “back to the Stone Age” in any war with Hezbollah militants but insists his government prefers a diplomatic solution on the Israel-Lebanon border.

“We do not want war, but we are preparing for every scenario,” Gallant tells reporters during the four-day visit that ended today. “Hezbollah understands very well that we can inflict massive damage in Lebanon if a war is launched.”

Gallant also says he discussed with senior US officials his “day after” proposals for governance of post-war Gaza that would include local Palestinians, regional partners and the US, but that it would be “a long and complex process.”