Israeli Army's General Gantz: We'll Respond to Arms Transfer between Lebanon, Syria

Israel's armed forces chief Lieutenant General Benny Gantz ruled out on Friday reports saying that Hizbullah possesses chemical weapons, warning the party and Syria that the Israeli army is fully ready to face any emergency in the region.

"Israel will respond to any development that might shake the security balance in the region,” Benny stated during a meeting with high school students in Israel.

He noted: “Transferring weapons from Syria to Lebanon will be faced, as well as attacking Israel on the border or by hostile organizations”.

Gants warned of the dangers resulting from the developments on the Lebanese northern border: “We will try to prevent threats but we will respond to any escalation of dangers against Israel”.

“The ongoing tranquility since 2006 is a proof that war succeeded in deterring Hizbullah,” the army general remarked.

Israel had frequently warned that if Syria's stockpile of chemical weapons fell into the Hizbullah hands, this would be a casus belli.

But the Jewish state has also raised the alarm over long-range Scud missiles or other advanced weaponry, such as anti-aircraft systems and surface-to-surface missiles, being transferred to Hizbullah.

Hizbullah has repeatedly denied these claims, saying that “hostile intentions” are behind such reports.