![Israeli Minister of Defence Benny Gantz arrives for a photo at the President's residence during a ceremony for the new coalition government in Jerusalem, on June 14, 2021 [EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/GettyImages-1233444818-scaled-e1624355943899.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
After an exchange of fire between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz announced on Friday that the Israeli army does not intend to let Hezbollah “toy” with it, The Times of Israel reported.
Gantz also warned that Israel is ready to worsen the dire situation of Hezbollah and Lebanon if calm was not maintained in the south of Israel.
“We do not intend to let Hezbollah toy with us and Hezbollah knows this,” Gantz told Israeli TV Channel 12. “Lebanon’s situation is shaky. We can make it even shakier,” he added.
According to The Times of Israel, Gantz also stated:
We recommend that Hezbollah, the Lebanese army and the Lebanese government don’t test the State of Israel.
Read: Hamas hails Lebanon’s retaliation to Israel attacks
“We have no interest in Lebanon, except [in maintaining] security and quiet,” he said, adding that quiet will be met with quiet.
On the rocket attack by the Lebanese resistance, Hezbollah said in a statement: “The Islamic resistance shelled open areas near the Shebaa Farms with dozens of 122mm rockets.”
It said that these rockets came in response to Israeli strikes.