Posted on 08/22/22
| News Source: i24
'We are strong and prepared for this scenario, but we don't want it,' says Benny Gantz
Israel on Monday warned Lebanon's Hezbollah any attack on its gas assets could spark war after the militant group threatened to "sever" Israel's hands if it taps a disputed offshore field.
The warning from Defense Minister Benny Gantz comes amid lengthy negotiations between the eastern Mediterranean neighbors to settle a dispute over their maritime border.
Tensions spiked in June when a production vessel chartered by Israel arrived near the Karish offshore gas field, which Lebanon claims is within contested waters.
Israel said on July 2 that it had downed three drones launched by Hezbollah toward Karish.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said on August 9, "the hand that reaches for any of this wealth will be severed."
Asked if any attack by Hezbollah against an Israeli gas field could lead to war, Gantz said: "Yes, that could trigger a reaction."
"Leading to several days of fighting and to a military campaign. We are strong and prepared for this scenario, but we don't want it," the minister told Israel's 103 FM radio station.
Gantz said extraction from the gas field would begin "when it is ready to produce," reaffirming Israel's claim to Karish.