Growing chance of escalation with Hezbollah, Gallant warns UN secretary-general

“The UN must act immediately,” Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the UN Headquarters in New York on Monday.

Gallant warned that “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 focused on the growing threats to Israel’s security and to stability in the Middle East region and was described as “positive and productive.”

Israel’s defense minister noted that Israel would not tolerate threats to its citizens and would act “as required” to defend them.

Hezbollah in recent months has erected tents within Israeli territory, built dozens of military compounds along the border and in general increased its presence there.

Gallant also requested that UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping mission monitoring the Israeli-Lebanese border, be strengthened in order to enable them to de-escalate the 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.

At the end of the meeting, Gallant thanked Guterres for his contribution and investment in solving the issue of the Israeli citizens held captive by Hamas in Gaza and asked for his continued support.

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