Gallant says Israel still wants 'agreement' with Lebanon

At the end of a home front exercise in the Haifa region, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that an Israeli war against Lebanon would be disastrous not only for Hezbollah but also for Lebanon.

The minister said Israel was preparing for various scenarios and threats against near and distant enemies.

"We are increasing our preparedness, and at the same time, we are also expanding our action against Hezbollah, against other entities that threaten us; we are striking our enemies all over the Middle East,” Gallant said.

Gallant added that a war with Hezbollah would “be a difficult challenge for the State of Israel, but it would be a catastrophe for Hezbollah and Lebanon.”

The Israeli minister also said that one of the main issues that Israel is facing now is how to let some 80,000 displaced Israelis return to their homes in northern Israel amid daily attacks by Hezbollah.

“We prefer … an agreement that will result in the removal of the threat, but we have to prepare for the possibility of (using) force in Lebanon,” Gallant added.