Hezbollah warns of 'mass displacement' if Israel launches offensive on Lebanon

Hezbollah's deputy leader has warned that if Israel launches a full-scale war aimed at returning 100,000 displaced people to their homes near Lebanon's border, it would instead displace "hundreds of thousands" more.

In a speech in Beirut, Naim Qassem stated, "We do not seek war as we believe it would be counterproductive. However, if Israel wages war, we will respond, and there will be heavy losses on both sides."

He added, "If they think such a war will enable the return of 100,000 displaced people to their homes, we caution them: be prepared to deal with hundreds of thousands more displaced."

Qassem's comments follow Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s statement that Israel is determined to restore "security" to its northern front and is "preparing for any possible scenario."