|By Adejumo Adekunle
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday accused Hezbollah of dragging Lebanon into the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, warning that Israel would respond with even greater military force if attacks persist.
Speaking during a visit to Palmachim Airbase in Yavne, Netanyahu said the Lebanese paramilitary group made a “very grave mistake” by launching attacks against Israel, a move he claimed forced Israel to extend its ongoing military operations into Lebanon.
The prime minister, who toured the base alongside Defense Minister Israel Katz and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, received an operational briefing and interacted with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operators and technical personnel overseeing aerial missions.
Netanyahu commended the military teams for their role since the launch of Operation Roaring Lion, saying their efforts have helped protect Israeli citizens while targeting “the murderers and their dispatchers in Iran.” He emphasized that Israel’s aerial campaign inside Iran is continuing with what he described as “great force.”
“Hezbollah made a very grave mistake when it attacked us,” Netanyahu declared. “We have already responded with great force, and we will respond with even greater, additional force.”
The Israeli leader also directed a message to the Lebanese government and its citizens, insisting that Hezbollah’s actions were responsible for the widening military confrontation now affecting Lebanese territory.
According to Netanyahu, Hezbollah is “dragging them into a war that is not theirs,” arguing that the group’s involvement stems from the death of a figure he described as a “mass murderer” with whom Lebanon has no direct connection.
He urged Lebanese civilians to “look out for themselves,” stressing that Israel would continue to take whatever steps it deems necessary to defend its security. Operation Roaring Lion has now entered its fifth day.
Meanwhile, in Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed questions surrounding the timing of the related military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury and whether the United States or Israel initiated the strikes against Iran.
Rubio told reporters that the decision on timing was made by the U.S. president based on strategic considerations.
“The President acted on the timing that gave us the highest chance of success, and that’s what you’re seeing play out right now,” Rubio said during a press conference.
The secretary explained that the mission’s objectives include dismantling Iran’s missile programme, targeting military factories and naval capabilities, and weakening Tehran’s capacity to sponsor terrorism.
“Those objectives are going to be met,” Rubio stated. “There will be a price to pay for it, but that is a much lower price to pay than having a nuclear-armed Iran.”
The Pentagon also confirmed the identities of four American service members killed in the conflict: Capt. Cody Khork, 35; Sgt. Declan Coady, 20; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39; and Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42.
