ALBAWABA - Speaking at an annual conference of the Institute for Counter-Terrorism Policy, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant accused Iran of establishing an airport in southern Lebanon, 20 kilometers from the Israeli border, which he said was being used "for terror purposes".
Gallant displayed aerial photographs of the airport under construction in the Qalaat Jabbour mountain range, which he claimed carried the tracks of Iran and its proxy "terror group" Hezbollah.
Galant stated: "In the pictures, you can see the Iranian flag flying over the runways, from which the ayatollah regime plans to operate against the citizens of Israel. In other words: the land is Lebanese, the control is Iranian, and the target is Israel,".
These accusations are expected to ignite tensions that have been surfacing in recent months by provocations by Iran-backed Hezbollah, including the group's establishment of two tents in territory claimed by Israel, one of which was later removed, and camouflaged operatives patrolling the border in violation of a UN resolution, among other acts.
"If it comes to a conflict, we will not hesitate to activate the lethal force of the IDF. Hezbollah and Lebanon will pay heavy and painful prices," Gallant warned.
With the south being dominated by Hezbollah, It serves as a foothold for the Iranian regime, providing them with the means to threaten Israel. While many Shiites see Iran as a source of financial support, many Christians and Sunnis in Lebanon are not happy with Hezbollah and Iran's expanding influence in the country.
"They are relentlessly pursuing military nuclear capabilities which are closer than ever before. They are engaging in a process of geographic and ideological dominance over regional states, promoting global terrorist acts, and attempting to undermine existing nations. Their goal is to create a war of attrition against Israel on all its borders," Gallant stated.
