IDF chief warns Israel will use ‘preemptive actions’ to stop Iranian attacks

Military chief Aviv Kohavi issues a warning to Iran, saying that Israel will respond to attempts to attack it with a “harsh response or preemptive actions.”

“We are working extremely hard against Iran’s entrenchment in the Middle East. The attempts to harm Israel, in any theater, will be met with a harsh response or preemptive actions,” Kohavi says following a meeting with his French counterpart, during an official visit to the European nation.

“The French army and the strengthening relationship with the IDF are important for regional stability,” Kohavi says in remarks provided by the Israel Defense Forces.

“We presented our French colleagues with intelligence that proves that the terrorist army Hezbollah has recently been increasing its negative activities, in a way that creates an ever-increasing risk of escalation, and tries to endanger Israel, but in practice also Lebanon and its citizens,” he says.

“Hezbollah has taken the citizens of Lebanon ‘hostage,’ and makes cynical use of civilian infrastructure, houses and residential buildings which will be attacked by the IDF when necessary,” Kohavi warns.

Tensions have recently escalated between Israel and the Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah, as the latter has threatened Israeli gas installations amid US-mediated talks over a maritime border dispute.