Israel warns it will send Lebanon 'back to the Stone Age'

During a visit to Washington on June 26, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said his country could "take Lebanon back to the Stone Age, but we don't want to do that."

"We do not want war but we are preparing for all situations. Hezbollah knows very well that we can cause great damage in Lebanon if a war breaks out," he told reporters.

Israel’s allies, including key defense backer the United States, are keen to avoid such a situation. A US official said Washington had been engaged in “quite intensive conversations” with Israel, Lebanon and others and believed none wanted “a major escalation”.

The border between Israel and Lebanon has seen daily gunfire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah since October 7 last year. Photo: AFP

Earlier on June 25, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Mr. Gallant that another war with Hezbollah could have "terrible consequences for the Middle East," and called for a diplomatic solution.

On June 26, Germany echoed Canada's warning from the previous day, "urgently asking" its citizens in Lebanon to leave the country. "The current heightened tensions on the border with Israel could escalate further at any time," the German Foreign Ministry's updated advisory said.

On the same day, UN humanitarian coordinator Martin Griffiths told reporters in Geneva: "I see this as a tipping point… It has the potential to be apocalyptic." He added: "A war involving Lebanon will draw in Syria… draw in others. This is very alarming."

Lebanon's state news agency reported about 10 Israeli attacks on areas near the border on June 26, including one at around 10 p.m. that destroyed a building in Nabatiyeh, injuring five people.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the attack. Hezbollah claimed six attacks on Israeli military positions in the border area on June 26.

The border between Israel and Lebanon has seen daily gunfire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants since Israel's war in Gaza. Hamas is an ally of Hezbollah.

But it was only in recent weeks that concerns about tensions escalating into all-out war grew as cross-border attacks increased and after Israel revealed it had approved plans to attack Lebanon.

Hoai Phuong (according to AFP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/israel-canh-bao-se-dua-lebanon-tro-lai-thoi-do-da-post301172.html