Israel’s Defense Minister Says Hezbollah ‘Will Pay Increasing Price’

18 September 2024, Israel, Haifa: Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant speaks to Israeli army soldiers during his visit to the Ramat David airbase. (Ariel Hermoni/GPO/dpa)
18 September 2024, Israel, Haifa: Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant speaks to Israeli army soldiers during his visit to the Ramat David airbase. (Ariel Hermoni/GPO/dpa)
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Israel’s Defense Minister Says Hezbollah ‘Will Pay Increasing Price’

18 September 2024, Israel, Haifa: Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant speaks to Israeli army soldiers during his visit to the Ramat David airbase. (Ariel Hermoni/GPO/dpa)
18 September 2024, Israel, Haifa: Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant speaks to Israeli army soldiers during his visit to the Ramat David airbase. (Ariel Hermoni/GPO/dpa)

Israel’s defense minister said Thursday that Hezbollah “will pay an increasing price” as Israel seeks to make conditions near its border with Lebanon safe enough for residents to return to their homes.

Yoav Gallant’s comments came as Israel and Hezbollah exchanged strikes and the group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, vowed retaliation against Israel for a mass bombing attack in Lebanon.

“Our goal is to ensure the safe return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes. As time goes by, Hezbollah will pay an increasing price,” said Gallant. “The sequence of our military actions will continue.”

Nasrallah said on Thursday this week’s deadly attack on the Iran-backed group’s communications devices was a “severe blow” that crossed a “red line.”

He added group is investigating how the two-day attack, which killed more than 30, wounded thousands and was widely believed to be carried out by Israel.

“Yes, we were subjected to a huge and severe blow,” he said. “The enemy crossed all boundaries and red lines.”

As usual, Nasrallah spoke by video from an undisclosed location. Hezbollah typically convenes a rally for supporters to watch his speeches on a big screen, but this time they did not.



Hamas, Two Other Palestinian Groups Say Gaza Ceasefire Deal 'Closer Than Ever'

Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
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Hamas, Two Other Palestinian Groups Say Gaza Ceasefire Deal 'Closer Than Ever'

Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)

Hamas and two other Palestinian militant groups said on Saturday that a Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel is "closer than ever", provided Israel does not impose new conditions.

"The possibility of reaching an agreement (for a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal) is closer than ever, provided the enemy stops imposing new conditions," Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said in a rare joint statement issued after talks in Cairo on Friday.

Last week, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States were held in Doha, rekindling hope of an agreement.

A Hamas leader told AFP on Saturday that talks had made "significant and important progress" in recent days.

"Most points related to the ceasefire and prisoner exchange issues have been agreed upon," he said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak publicly on the issue.

"Some unresolved points remain, but they do not hinder the process. The agreement could be finalized before the end of this year, provided it is not disrupted by (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's new conditions."