Defense Minister posts unusual Arabic-language warning to the Lebanese people on his X account, says Israel will “fight with all its might” if attacked.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant posted an unusual direct message to the Lebanese people on his X account on Thursday, warning them of the perils they face if Hezbollah carries out its threats to launch a large-scale attack against Israel.

In the Arabic-langiage message, Gallant wrote, “Citizens of Lebanon, Shiite Iran and those who submit [to its ideology], led by Hezbollah, have taken Lebanon and its people hostage for the sake of narrow sectarian interests.”

“The State of Israel wants peace, prosperity, and stability on both sides of the northern border and therefore will in no way allow the Hezbollah militia to destabilize the border and the region. If Hezbollah continues its aggression, Israel will fight it with all its might.

“Remember [Hezbollah leader Hassan] Nasrallah’s regret following the dangerous and miscalculated adventure he embarked on, in August 2006 – learn the lesson of the past so as not to fall into a dangerous scenario in August 2024,” he warned. “He who plays with fire may expect destruction.” Yesterday, Gallant visited the 646th Brigade on Wednesday during an exercise that simulated combat in northern terrain and discussed the address delivered a day earlier by Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah.

“As things seem, Nasrallah may drag Lebanon to pay a very heavy toll, very heavy. They don’t imagine what could happen, I think that if they would look at a picture of Gaza they would understand, but logic isn’t always what talks,” Gallant said.

“You can’t kill civilians in the State of Israel, certainly not 12 children, and not pay a price, it doesn’t work, we don’t accept that patent, and if there is a need, we will expand our operations and do what’s needed. This process may descend into war, it’s not theoretical, it’s real,” hhe said.

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