The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Saturday that they conducted another round of strikes on terror targets in Lebanon as the border skirmishes persist while the conflict in Gaza continues to unfold.
In an official statement, the military reported that they successfully neutralized Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, which had been used as launch sites for rockets fired towards the IDF.
The IDF further reported the elimination of a terrorist attempting to infiltrate Israel near Shilomi.
This development occurred shortly after Hezbollah Leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah issued a warning, suggesting that the confrontations with Israel along Lebanon's southern border might extend beyond the current clashes.
In his first televised speech since the Israel-Hamas conflict and Israel-Hezbollah confrontation erupted early last month, Nasrallah on Friday told his audience that "the war escalation and evolution on the Lebanese front hinge on two fundamental factors -- the unfolding events in Gaza and the conduct of Israel towards Lebanon".
"All options are open on our southern front. We can resort to these options at any time."
Nasrallah said the threat of American airstrikes has never swayed the resistance's determination or position, warning the US that "we have prepared the proper responses to any actions you may take with your war fleets".
Nasrallah said Hezbollah's confrontations with Israel "have effectively diverted a significant portion of the Israeli forces originally intended for the attack on Gaza," saying "approximately one-third of the Israeli troops were successfully attracted to the border with Lebanon".
He went as far as mocking the Israeli army, highlighting that even after a month since the hostages were kidnapped, the IDF had not managed to secure their release.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded strongly, warning the Lebanon-based militant group to stay away from Israel or face severe consequences.
The escalation along the Lebanese-Israeli border began when Iran-based Hezbollah fired multiple rockets on October 8th towards Israeli military installations in support of the surprise attack by Hamas on the Jewish nation on October 7th.
In retaliation, Israeli forces used heavy artillery in southeastern Lebanon on the same day.
These intermittent clashes have resulted in 66 deaths in Lebanon, including 50 members of Hezbollah, along with nine Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants. Tragically, seven civilians were also among the casualties.
(With Agency Inputs)
ALSO READ | Hassan Nasrallah Affirms Oct 7 Attack as 100% Palestinian
