Verbal jabs between Israeli and Hizbullah leaders continue this week with warnings from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Hizbullah’s political involvement in Lebanon. Speaking to evacuated Jewish settlers from Gaza Strip, Netanyahu said, “Let it be clear that the Lebanese government will be held responsible for any attack on Israel coming from its territory.”
Two months after parliamentary elections, Saad Hariri’s victorious Western-backed coalition has yet to form a government. An official associated with Hizbullah, however, has said the organization expects at least 10 cabinet seats, compared to the 15 expected by Hariri’s camp. “If Hizbullah entered the government as an official body, let it be clear that the Lebanese government will be held responsible for any attack on Israel coming from its territory,” continued the Israeli leader, according to Haaretz.
“The moment they are part of the government, the sovereign Lebanese government is responsible. I hope we will not need such responses.” He did, however, say that tensions between Hizbullah and Israel would not likely turn violent.
