Israeli MP Gallant on Hezbollah: “We are not looking for war but we are ready for it”

As Israel prepares to conclude the intense phase of its war against the Hamas terror group in Gaza, attention is now shifting to an even greater threat from the north. Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorist forces have been launching attacks on border communities in northern Israel since October 8, in solidarity with Hamas.

On Friday, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stressed that while Israel “does not seek war with Hezbollah” and prefers a diplomatic solution to the threat on its northern border with Lebanon, it is prepared for conflict if necessary.

“We are not looking for war but we are ready for it. And we will come to a crossroads, it will be a T-junction for both the enemy and us. If (Hezbollah) chooses to go to war, we will know what to do. If he chooses to reach an agreement, we will answer that question,” Gallant said. declared.

“(We are preparing) military force…and it can happen quickly. On the other hand, the political alternative is being prepared, it is always better,” added Gallant.

The defense minister, a retired IDF general and former elite naval commando, made the remarks after National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticized him and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for considering a political deal with Hezbollah, which openly calls for the destruction of Israel.

During a high-level meeting, Ben Gvir reportedly equated Hezbollah with the Nazis and warned that a political deal with the terrorist group would jeopardize Israel’s security on the northern border.

“A deal with Hezbollah will lead to another October 7. You can’t make a deal with the Nazis,” Ben Gvir reportedly said.

Hezbollah reportedly has an arsenal of at least 150,000 rockets and has so far fired more than 5,000 aerial projectilesincluding drones, missiles and rockets, against Israel during the conflict. Approximately 60,000 Israeli civilians have been forced to flee their homes in northern Israel due to continued Hezbollah attacks that could potentially escalate into a full-scale war.

In his statement Friday, Gallant spoke directly to the evacuees.

“I know it’s not easy, not for you and not for the people in the north. I can tell you one thing, it’s much harder for Hezbollah and Lebanon. It’s easy to talk from a bunker and make statements,” Gallant said, referring to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

“In the end, more than 450 terrorists were killed (in Lebanon). The region is seriously affected. That is why this burden weighs on the enemy much more than on us,” Gallant added.