Growing chance of escalation with Hezbollah, Gallant warns UN secretary-general
Israeli defense minister visits UN headquarters in New York
“The UN must act immediately,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Monday.
Gallant warned, “The potential for a violent escalation on Israel’s northern border is growing, as a result of flagrant violations by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah.”
The discussion between Gallant and Guterres, which focused on the growing threats to Israel’s security and stability in the Middle East region, was described as “positive and productive.”
Israel’s defense minister noted that the Jewish state would not tolerate threats to its citizens and would act “as required” to defend them.
In recent months, the Lebanese-based Hezbollah terror organization has erected tents within Israeli territory, built dozens of military compounds along the shared border and generally increased its presence there.
Gallant also requested that the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, its peacekeeping mission tasked with monitoring the Israel-Lebanon border, be strengthened in order to enable them to de-escalate tensions.
The growing tensions with Lebanon are a consequence of Iranian entrenchment and support, Gallant stressed, as he discussed Iran’s export of terrorism and weapons with Guterres.
Gallant thanked Guterres for his contribution and investment in solving the issue of the Israeli citizens held captive by the Hamas terror group in Gaza and asked for his continued support.
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The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
