Israel will exact heavy price from Hezbollah for killing four soldiers: Netanyahu
Jerusalem, June 19
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday warned that Israel will not tolerate attacks on its soldiers or its territory, and will exact a "very heavy price' from Hezbollah for killing four soldiers in Lebanon on Thursday.
"I send heartfelt condolences to the families of the Commander of the Armored Corps 52nd Battalion, Lt. Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon, and of three heroic fighters whose names have not yet been cleared for publication, may God avenge their blood. I also wish a speedy recovery to the wounded in the exchanges of fire yesterday," Netanyahu said according to a statement posted by the Office of the Israeli Prime Minister on X.
"Following the heinous attack by Hezbollah, which is a flagrant violation of the ceasefire, I instructed the IDF last night to strike Hezbollah with force," he added.
According to him, the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) struck over 80 terror targets and eliminated dozens of terrorists. Subsequently, the IDF struck Hezbollah command posts in the Beqaa Valley this morning.
Netanyahu also held a situation assessment with the Minister of Defence and the Chief of General Staff.
"My directive is clear: Israel will not tolerate attacks on our soldiers or our territory, and it will exact a very heavy price from Hezbollah for these attacks," the Prime Minister highlighted.
"As I have made unequivocally clear, yesterday as well: Israel will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary for the protection of the communities of the North," he added.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday publicly urged Israel to show greater restraint in Lebanon, saying he supports Israel's security needs but believes it should adopt a "softer touch" in responding to threats from Hezbollah.
At a press conference at the conclusion of the G7 Summit in France, Trump said the newly announced Iran agreement could create an opportunity to address lingering tensions in Lebanon, which he described as one of the remaining challenges in the region.
"We have a little dispute over Lebanon," Trump said while discussing his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"I say, you can do a little softer touch, Bibi. You don't have to knock down a building every time somebody walks into it that's from Hezbollah."
— IANS
Reader Comments
Four soldiers killed is tragic, but Netanyahu's rhetoric of 'heavy price' just escalates the cycle of violence. Trump's suggestion of a softer touch might actually lead to more lasting peace.
Israel cannot back down when its soldiers are killed. This isn't about being soft or hard - it's about protecting your people. We in India understand this very well given our own security concerns. Strong response is necessary. 🇮🇱
I feel for the families of those soldiers, but striking 80 targets and killing dozens seems disproportionate. The cycle of violence never ends this way - only diplomacy can bring lasting peace in the Middle East. 🤷♀️
It's rich of Trump to talk about 'softer touch' when his own administration killed Qasem Soleimani. The hypocrisy is staggering. Israel knows what it's doing - they've been dealing with these threats for decades.
Both sides need to step back and think about the human cost. So many families losing their loved ones - Israeli soldiers, Lebanese civilians, Hezbollah fighters. When will this madness end? 😢
Israel's security concerns are real, but using terms like 'exact a heavy price' only fuels more extremism. The world needs a more balanced approach -
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.