Israeli PM Netanyahu says country prepared for ‘very intense operation’ on Lebanon border

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday (Jun 5) said that his country was all set for a "very strong action in the north" stating that his forces would restore security "one way or another" after the Iran-backed Hezbollah group launched missiles triggering forest fires across the region.

The exchanges have intensified between Israel and the Lebanon-backed militant group over the past week, with Israel launching strikes into Lebanese territory.

"Whoever thinks that they can harm us and we will sit idly by is making a big mistake. We are prepared for a very strong action in the north," Netanyahu said during a tour of the area. "In one way or another, we will restore security to the north."

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Hezbollah said that it hit several Israeli positions during the day, including a "guided missile" strike on an "Iron Dome platform in the Ramot Naftali barracks".

Netanyahu's coalition partners National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, in recent days, have called for immediate action to strengthen security across northern Israel.

"They burn us here, all Hezbollah strongholds should also burn and be destroyed. WAR!" Ben Gvir said on Tuesday in a Telegram post.

Smotrich on Monday said, "We must move the security strip from inside Israeli territory in the Galilee to southern Lebanon, including a ground invasion, occupation of the territory and distancing Hezbollah terrorists and hundreds of thousands of Lebanese among whom Hezbollah hides to the other side of the Litani river," nearly 30 kilometres (20 miles) north of the border.

Forest fires triggered by Hezbollah rockets spread through northern Israel

Netanyahu's remarks come as Hezbollah launched missiles targeting northern Israel that triggered forest fires across the region on Tuesday (June 4).

The Israeli authorities said that they had initiated rescue efforts to contain the spread of fire that engulfed residential areas in border towns and villages.

Israel Fire and Rescue Services released a statement saying that the fires began on Monday (June 3) and had already shrouded thousands of acres of land.

"As of this time, there are three active sites" near the border with Lebanon, the Israel Fire and Rescue Service posted on X earlier Tuesday.

(With inputs from agencies)