Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has warned that Israeli military operations in Lebanon will persist despite rising tensions in the region, a comment he made in response to a statement from Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who characterized the recent attacks on communication devices, specifically pagers and walkie-talkies, as tantamount to “a declaration of war.”
In a video message recorded at the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Gallant declared that “Our sequence of military and security operations would continue,” elaborating that this new phase of conflict brings with it both considerable opportunities and significant risks.
Gallant indicated that Hezbollah is currently feeling pressure and a sense of persecution, suggesting that the group’s posture may be changing in light of the ongoing military actions.
These remarks were delivered shortly after Nasrallah’s televised address, in which he condemned Israel’s activities, describing them as a “major aggression” directed against the Lebanese people and again reiterating that such actions signify a declaration of war.
In a related development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security consultation meeting on Thursday night, gathering key officials to assess the rapidly escalating situation and to deliberate on Israel’s strategic responses.
This surge in tensions follows a series of explosions that occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday, targeting thousands of pagers and handheld radios across Lebanon, mostly in Hezbollah-controlled Southern Lebanon.
These incidents resulted in a tragic toll of at least 37 fatalities and left 2,931 individuals injured, a development about which Israeli officials have remained tight-lipped, even though Hezbollah and Iran have attributed the explosions to the Jewish State.
