Gallant Warns of ‘Significant Damage’ if Iran, Hezbollah Provoke Israel

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has issued a stern warning of unprecedented retaliation should Iran and Hezbollah initiate attacks on Israel. During a visit to a military base on Sunday, Gallant emphasized the severity of the threats from Iran and Hezbollah, which he described as unprecedented, underlining the existential battle Israel faces.

Gallant expressed hope that Iran and Hezbollah would reconsider their actions to avoid pushing Israel to respond with significant force, potentially escalating to war on multiple fronts. The tension follows the recent killing of Hezbollah’s top military commander, Fouad Shukur, by an attack in Beirut’s southern suburbs, heightening concerns of a major escalation in the region.

The leaders of France, Germany, and Britain have urged Iran and its allies to avoid any retaliatory attacks that could worsen regional tensions. They support a cease-fire in Gaza to prevent further violence.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, after speaking with Gallant, reaffirmed America’s defense commitment to Israel and discussed the increased U.S. military presence in the region. This includes deploying a guided missile submarine to the Middle East and accelerating the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to the area.

Meanwhile, in response to Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, Hezbollah launched rocket attacks into northern Israel, continuing the near-daily exchanges of fire that began with Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, which ignited the ongoing war in Gaza.

The conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displacement. At least 565 people in Lebanon, mostly fighters but also including at least 116 civilians, have died since early October, while Israeli casualties include 22 soldiers and 26 civilians. Thousands from both sides of the border have been displaced due to the fighting.