Israel raises alarm about Hezbollah threats

Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz on Thursday said that Hezbollah had threatened to attack Cyprus and that Iran-backed terrorism is a threat to other European countries. He directed his message on social media to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, British Secretary of Foreign Affairs David Cameron, and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

What has prompted additional concern? Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Wednesday threatened in a televised speech that in the event of an all-out war between his terrorist organization and Israel, nowhere inside Israel would be safe, according to a report by The Times of Israel. He said that his organization’s human resources were greater than ever, and his organization had manufactured new missiles and drones, according to The Times. He threatened Cyprus specifically.

Katz later the same day responded to the Hezbollah leader’s claims, saying that in an all-out war, Israel Defense Forces would eliminate the terrorist group. Israel would pay a heavy price for restoring its security, but it would do so, Katz said. IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Col. Hartzi Halevi, told Israeli military personnel on Wednesday that the IDF was well aware of Hezbollah’s capabilities.

What’s happening on the ground as far as Israeli clashes with Hezbollah? Hezbollah’s threats came after the terrorist group in Lebanon increased its attacks on Israel. IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari over the weekend said that Hezbollah had increased its attacks and that a wider escalation of hostilities in the region could take place. He said the IDF would do what it took to protect Israeli security.

The Israeli military on Thursday reported that its air forces had killed a Hezbollah military leader who helped plan terrorist attacks against Israel. In the months before his death, the IDF said the terrorist Pechel Abraham had been trying to strengthen Hezbollah’s presence in southern Lebanon and its capability for ground combat. IDF forces also reported airstrikes on Hezbollah munitions and weapons depots in southern Lebanon on Thursday. In addition to the airstrikes, Israeli forces attacked other Hezbollah targets in the area with artillery barrages, the IDF said.

Dig deeper: Read Marc LiVecche’s column in WORLD Opinions about the Biden administration’s lack of support for Israel.