Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, June 27, 2024
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, June 27, 2024
Gallant warns Israel can return Lebanon to ‘Stone Age’ but doesn’t seek war with Hezbollah
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.”
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