Amid Gaza war, Israel warns could send Lebanon 'back to Stone Age'

Israel launches air strikes on Gaza amid rising tensions with Hezbollah, prompting warnings of potential regional conflict.

Israel launched air strikes on Gaza on June 27 after warning Hezbollah, Hamas's ally in Lebanon, to avoid a large-scale war that would send the neighbouring country "back to the Stone Age".

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant made the comment during a visit to Washington, where he discussed the Gaza war, long-running efforts toward a truce, and ways to avoid a wider regional conflagration.

As cross-border tensions between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have risen, Mr. Gallant stressed that "we do not want war, but we are preparing for every scenario".

"Hezbollah understands very well that we can inflict massive damage in Lebanon if a war is launched," he said of the Shiite militant group that, like Hamas, is backed by Israel's arch foe Iran.

Israel and Hezbollah have traded near daily cross-border fire since Hamas launched its October 7 attack that sparked the bloodiest ever Gaza war.

But tensions have surged since Israel said this month that its Lebanon war plans are ready, sparking threats from Hezbollah that, in the event of all-out war, none of Israel would be safe.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Gallant this week that a war with Hezbollah could have "terrible consequences for the Middle East" and urged a diplomatic solution.