IDF official to Hezbollah: Don't test us

Senior General Staff officer says Lebanese terror organization will suffer 'harsh and painful blow' during next clash with Israel; warns 'Hezbollah will not be only one to pay the price'

Yossi Yehoshua|Published: 08.14.12 , 10:15

A senior official at the IDF General Staff on Tuesday responded to threats issued by Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah, whereby the Lebanese terror organization will side with Iran in the event that it is attacked by Israel, saying "I suggest Hezbollah not test us."

In a report published by Yedioth Ahronoth, the official, who is familiar with the IDF's operative plans, warned the Lebanese terrorist organization that "the blow will be harsh and painful.

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"Since the Second Lebanon War there have been six years of calm. After the next war there will be 10 years of calm," he said.

The official noted that the occurrences of the Second Lebanon War will not repeat themselves during the next clash, and that the IDF will not hesitate to target Lebanese infrastructure the next time around.

"Hezbollah will not be the only one to pay the price; the entire nation of Lebanon will," because it carries state responsibility, he said.

The General Staff official also noted that Hezbollah has more rockets than it did six years ago, and that the projectiles are more accurate and have longer ranges.

Recently, the IDF deployed an Iron Dome missile defense battery near the northern city of Safed as part of its emergency preparedness plan. However, it was reported that the battery will only be stationed in the north temporarily.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah continues to issue threats against Israel. On Monday, the deputy head of the Hezbollah's executive council, Sheikh Nabil Qaouk, was quoted by Lebanese media as saying that Israel fears Hamas and Hezbollah's rockets because they can "cover all of the Israeli settlements."