Netanyahu Promises Additional 'Surprising Blows' to Hezbollah
Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a warning that Israel's recent preemptive strike on Hezbollah in Lebanon this past Sunday signifies “not the end of the story.” Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that Israel's recent preemptive air strikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon represent a continuing strategy rather than an isolated incident. He emphasized that these actions would be followed by additional decisive measures.
The Israeli Defense Forces implemented the strikes after intelligence assessments suggested Hezbollah was planning an imminent attack. In a significant military operation, approximately 100 Israeli fighter jets targeted and reportedly eliminated a vast number of Hezbollah's rocket launchers in the region.
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets towards Israel, which they claimed was in response to the killing of their senior leader, Fouad Shukr, in a previous airstrike in Beirut.
“What happened today is not the end of the story,” Netanyahu stated during a government meeting.
“We are striking Hezbollah with surprising crushing blows. Three weeks ago, we eliminated its chief of staff [Fuad Shukr], and today we thwarted its attack plan,” he explained.
Reports also suggested that U.S. intelligence contributions were instrumental in foiling the planned attack from Hezbollah, though the U.S. did not participate directly in the Israeli military action.
Netanyahu further commented on the regional dynamics, saying, “Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei need to know that this is an additional step in changing the situation in the north and returning our residents securely to their homes.”
In response, Nasrallah announced that the initial phase of Hezbollah's retaliation had been “completed successfully,” mentioning that the group might consider further actions depending on the assessment of the impacts of their strikes.
The White House National Security Council spokesman, Sean Savett, revealed that President Joe Biden is closely following the developments and affirmed continued U.S. support for Israel's defense. He also mentioned efforts towards maintaining regional stability.
To underline this commitment, the U.S. has escalated its military presence in the Middle East, deploying an additional aircraft carrier strike group to the region.
Despite the intensity of recent interactions, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has not yet escalated into a broader direct conflict, with both sides typically engaging in sporadic artillery and rocket exchanges since the conflict with Hamas in Gaza started in October.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
The Israeli Defense Forces implemented the strikes after intelligence assessments suggested Hezbollah was planning an imminent attack. In a significant military operation, approximately 100 Israeli fighter jets targeted and reportedly eliminated a vast number of Hezbollah's rocket launchers in the region.
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets towards Israel, which they claimed was in response to the killing of their senior leader, Fouad Shukr, in a previous airstrike in Beirut.
“What happened today is not the end of the story,” Netanyahu stated during a government meeting.
“We are striking Hezbollah with surprising crushing blows. Three weeks ago, we eliminated its chief of staff [Fuad Shukr], and today we thwarted its attack plan,” he explained.
Reports also suggested that U.S. intelligence contributions were instrumental in foiling the planned attack from Hezbollah, though the U.S. did not participate directly in the Israeli military action.
Netanyahu further commented on the regional dynamics, saying, “Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei need to know that this is an additional step in changing the situation in the north and returning our residents securely to their homes.”
In response, Nasrallah announced that the initial phase of Hezbollah's retaliation had been “completed successfully,” mentioning that the group might consider further actions depending on the assessment of the impacts of their strikes.
The White House National Security Council spokesman, Sean Savett, revealed that President Joe Biden is closely following the developments and affirmed continued U.S. support for Israel's defense. He also mentioned efforts towards maintaining regional stability.
To underline this commitment, the U.S. has escalated its military presence in the Middle East, deploying an additional aircraft carrier strike group to the region.
Despite the intensity of recent interactions, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has not yet escalated into a broader direct conflict, with both sides typically engaging in sporadic artillery and rocket exchanges since the conflict with Hamas in Gaza started in October.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
