Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant on Thursday issued a stern warning to neighbouring Lebanon, stating that if the Hezbollah militia continued its aggression, Israel will fight with all its might.

Israel was striving “for peace, prosperity and stability on both sides of the northern border,’’ Mr Gallant said in an unusual message addressing the Lebanese population directly.

“We will not allow the Hezbollah militia to destabilise the border and the region,” Mr Gallant said.

“If Hezbollah continues its aggression, Israel will fight it with all its might,’’ Mr Gallant said.

“Those who play with fire must expect destruction,’’ he warned.

This is as a result of the killing in Tehran of Palestinian militant organisation Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh and Fuad Shukr, a top military commander with the Iranian-allied Hezbollah.

The danger of a major war in the Middle East has continued to grow.

Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas have threatened retaliation against Israel.

Hezbollah has traded near-daily fire with Israel in support of its ally Hamas since the Palestinian militant group’s October 7; attack on Israel triggered the Gaza war.

Clashes have resulted in numerous civilian casualties in Lebanon and Israel.

More than 350 Hezbollah members as well as Israeli soldiers had been killed.

Tens of thousands of residents on both sides of the border have fled their homes.

(dpa/NAN)