Israeli Interior Minister Gallant on Hezbollah: “We don’t want war, but we are ready for it”

As Israel winds down the intense phase of its war against the terrorist organization Hamas in Gaza, the focus is turning to an even greater threat from the north. The Iranian-backed Hezbollah terror forces have been carrying out attacks on Israel’s northern border communities since October 8 in solidarity with Hamas.

On Friday, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stressed that while Israel “does not seek war with Hezbollah” and prefers a diplomatic solution to the threat on its northern border with Lebanon, it is also prepared for conflict if necessary.

“We are not seeking war, but we are ready for it. And we will come to a crossroads, it will be a T-junction, both for the enemy and for us. If (Hezbollah) decides to go to war, we will know what to do. If they decide to settle, we will respond,” Gallant said. specified.

“We are preparing the armed forces … and this can be done quickly. On the other hand, it is always better to prepare the political alternative,” Gallant added.

The defense minister, a retired Israel Defense Forces general and former soldier in an elite naval commando, made the remarks after National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir sharply criticized him and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for considering a political agreement with Hezbollah that openly calls for the destruction of Israel.

During a high-level meeting, Ben Gvir reportedly equated Hezbollah with Nazis and warned that a political deal with the terror group would endanger Israel’s security on its northern border.

“An agreement with Hezbollah will lead to another October 7th. You can’t make deals with Nazis,” Ben Gvir is said to have said.

Hezbollah reportedly has an arsenal of at least 150,000 rockets and has so far shot down more than 5,000 air projectilesincluding drones, rockets and missiles, against Israel during the conflict. About 60,000 Israeli civilians have been forced to flee their homes in northern Israel due to ongoing Hezbollah attacks, which could potentially escalate into a full-scale war.

In his statement on Friday, Gallant addressed the evacuees directly.

“I know it is not easy, not easy for you and not easy for the people of the north. One thing I can tell you is that it is much more difficult for Hezbollah and Lebanon. It is easy to speak from the bunker and make statements,” Gallant said, referring to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

“Ultimately, over 450 terrorists have been killed (in Lebanon). The area has been hit very hard. So that burden is much more on the enemy than on us,” Gallant added.