Hezbollah on Monday dismissed an Israeli defense official's call to the Lebanese people to oppose Iran's tightening grip on the country, calling it "nonsense."
In an unusual move, opposition-affiliated media in Lebanon published an article on Sunday written by IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Ronen Manelis, in which he warned the Lebanese people against becoming a pawn in Iran's attempts to gain influence in the Middle East, a process he said would "turn Lebanon into a powder keg."
Manelis criticized what he called "Lebanese authorities' acquiescence and the willingness of many in the international community to turn a blind eye" to Iran having "turned Lebanon into one big missile factory. This goes beyond weapons shipments, funding or counseling. Iran has set up a new de facto branch, the 'Lebanese branch,' right here."
He stressed that while Israel wants to maintain calm along its shared border with Lebanon, the IDF remains ready to counter any provocation or flare-up that may erupt.
The article appears to have caused a stir in Lebanon, including among members of Hezbollah, whose officials rushed to dismiss Manelis' assertions as "the kind of nonsense and provocation published only by cowards."
Mohammad Raad, a member of the Shiite terrorist group's Shura Council, which operates in an advisory capacity, warned Israel against "doing something foolish that could spell war. That will be destructive for it [Israel]."
Hezbollah "is stronger today and it has capabilities that can destroy the Israeli army," he said.
"Today Israel is regionally and internationally isolated. The media spin it [Israel] churns out is an attempt to cover up the panic, because it wants to present itself as strong," Raad said.
