Israeli Chief of Staff, General Aviv Kochavi, said that Lebanon is violating international laws and threatened the country and Hezbollah, but also noted that the latter’s secretary general is “wise” enough not to trigger a war with Israel.
At the swearing-in ceremony of the new commander of the Israeli Northern Brigade, Kochavi said Israel is operating against terror daily, indicating that it stems from a policy to achieve Israel's strategic goals.
"The operational activity on the northern front is an example of the exercise of military power that allows the front to be shaped and enables Israel to realize its goals," said Kohavi.
"Lebanon and Hezbollah will bear the consequences if the sovereignty of Israel is harmed and if [Israel's] assets or citizens are harmed," said Kochavi.
He indicated that the Israeli army does not and will not stand by, warning that any attempt to harm it in any arena will be met with a sharp response or a preemptive initiative.
Meanwhile, the outgoing Northern Command commander, Amir Baram, announced after his term that Hezbollah is not interested in launching a war amid the current circumstances.
Baram described Lebanon and Syria as open ground by Iran and its militias, revealing that his ground forces cross the borders and operate in Syrian territory at very high rates, not only through raids and artillery shelling.
Baram claimed that the Northern Command prevented Hezbollah from establishing itself in southern Syria and carrying out attacks or opening another front on the Golan Heights border.
Speaking during a documentary film about the northern front broadcast on Channel 13, Baram said there could be a point where Israel cannot afford an additional reinforcement of Hezbollah's power and launch a pre-emptive war.
However, he believes "we are not there yet" and the war, if launched, would be gradual.
Baram was also asked that some believe there is a chance to launch war before the nuclear deal with Iran is signed, and the Iranian economy flourishes again, which would reintroduce cash flows back to Hezbollah.
Baram admitted that the leadership considers such estimates all the time, but it hasn't peaked. He noted that other issues must be regarded ahead of the war, indicating many strategic benefits, but there is a very high price.
Asked about Nasrallah's threats, Baram said that the Sec-Gen is a serious person and is wiser than resorting to war, knowing in advance how hefty the price could be, adding that is not as adventurous.
