Defense minister says Israel doesn’t want war but warns Hezbollah

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (R) welcomes Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to the Pentagon in Washington, DC, June 25, 2024. Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON — Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on a visit to Washington that his country does not want war in Lebanon but was ready to inflict “massive damage” on Hezbollah if diplomacy fails.

“We do not want war, but we are preparing for every scenario,” Gallant told reporters during the visit that ended Wednesday.

“Hezbollah understands very well that we can inflict massive damage in Lebanon if a war is launched,” he said.

READ: Israel minister warns Hezbollah of destruction in ‘total war’

Tensions have been rising, with growing skirmishes along the border between Israel and the Iranian-backed militia, since the October 7 attack by Hamas that prompted a relentless Israeli retaliatory campaign in Gaza.

Gallant said that Israel has killed more than 400 Hezbollah “terrorists” in recent months.

READ: US warns Israel-Hezbollah conflict could spark regional war