Israel Warns Lebanon To Expel Hezbollah From Borders Or IDFs To Take Action

Benny Gantz (Wikimedia Commons/IDF Spokesperson's Unit photographer)

JAKARTA - The situation on Israel's northern border with Lebanon demands changes, Israeli War Cabinet member Benny Gantz said at a news conference, warning time is running out to reach a diplomatic solution to fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

"If the world and the Lebanese government do not act to stop attacks aimed at the northern community and push Hezbollah away from the border, the IDF will," Gantz warned.

Gantz's comments came after the Lebanese national news agency reported three people were killed overnight in southern Lebanon as a result of Israeli airstrikes. Hezbollah's social media said one of its fighters was killed in the attack.

Meanwhile, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it was targeting a source of fire originating from Lebanon after sirens sounded on the kibbutz Rosh HaNikra, in the Mediterranean Sea in northwestern Israel.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said his troops were in "very high readiness" to face more fighting in the northern region.

"Our first task is to restore the security and sense of security of residents in the north, and this will take time," Lieutenant General Halevi was quoted as saying by the BBC.

It is known that cross-border firefights have escalated since the Hamas attack on Israel's southern region on October 7.

On Wednesday, Hezbollah launched its highest cross-border offensive in a single day since October 8, security sources told Reuters. This raises fears the conflict in Gaza will spread throughout the region.

Hezbollah itself is a Shia Muslim organization designated as a terrorist organization by Western countries, Israel, Gulf Arab countries and the Arab League.

Funded by Iran, they are one of the non-state military forces with the most complete weaponry in the world.

In 2006, a massive war between Hezbollah and Israel was triggered by cross-border attacks by the militant group, in response to an attack on the south of Lebanon by Israel.