"We know Hezbollah is growing stronger with Syria's help, and occasionally with Iran's assistance, Defense Minister Ehud Barak saidduring a tour of the northern border on Tuesday.
"Should the (security) situation deteriorate, we'll hold the Lebanese government and all those who help Hezbollah responsible," said Barak at an IDF outpost overlooking south Lebanon's villages.
'Stay alert.' Barak with soldiers in north (Photo: Avihu Shapira)
Barak was briefed by senior IDF officers, including Northern Command Chief Major-General Gadi Eisenkot, on the army's activity along the security fence. He later spoke with soldiers stationed in the area.
According to the defense minister, the relative calm along the border could be disrupted at any moment. "We suggest that the other side refrain from trying to change the current situation, which Israel's deterrence helped create," he said.
Barak told the soldiers, "Despite the calm, you must stay alert. We do not want escalation, but if needed, we'll respond accordingly."
Barak refused to answer reporters' questions on Monday's diplomatic incident in which Israel's Foreign Ministry reprimanded Turkey's ambassador, saying, "I do not deal with diplomacy. I leave it to the Foreign Ministry's officials."