Israel, Hezbollah exchange threats of imminent war

At the southernmost point of Lebanon, at the border with Israel, life is normal. Even on weekdays, Lebanese from across the country pour into the southern town of Naqoura to enjoy its unpolluted beach and white cliffs.Yet Naqoura could become one of the most affected areas if a war were to erupt between Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah.Both sides have been lobbing threats.During the 2006 Lebanon War, thousands of Lebanese citizens fled to the north of their country, while others sought refuge in Syria, which at the time was a safe haven. But if the current situation between Israel and Hezbollah deteriorates, Syria might become unsafe for Lebanese refugees for several reasons. In fact, Syria, along with Lebanon, might become the dual arenas where their next war is fought.Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman said as much earlier this week. “In the next war in the north of [Israel], Lebanon will not be the only front,” he said during a speech to Israeli soldiers.Hezbollah always anticipates war. This has been the case since the last bullet was fired at the end of the 2006 war. It continued to be the main concern after Hezbollah announced in May 2013 that it would fight alongside its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, against the rebels seeking to topple him and the countries backing them. At that time, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah said, “If Syria falls into the hands of the takfiris and the United States, the resistance will be trapped and Israel will enter Lebanon. If Syria falls, the Palestinian cause will be lost.”

 

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