Netanyahu warns Beirut could turn into Gaza if Lebanon's Hezbollah 'decides to open an all-out war

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to Israeli soldiers on Thursday, Dec. 7, during a trip to the country's north to view military activity near Lebanon. (Amos Ben Gershom, GPO)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is warning Thursday that Hezbollah could turn Lebanon's capital of Beirut into another Gaza if the terrorist group decides to open an "all-out war" on his country.

Netanyahu made the comment while visiting the Israel Defense Forces Northern Command headquarters with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi. 

"I am impressed by the great spirit here. You have expressed it and I want you to know that this obligates us. The people are proud of you," Netanyahu told the troops, according to his office.

"I also suggest that our enemies pay attention to this spirit because if Hezbollah decides to open an all-out war, then with its own hands it will turn Beirut and southern Lebanon, which are not far from here, into Gaza and Khan Younis. We are determined to achieve victory and we will do so with your help."

Netanyahu's office said he and Head of Northern Command Maj.-Gen. Ori Gordin "visited an artillery battery in the Upper Galilee, where he spoke with reserve infantry and artillery soldiers, who have been serving on the forward line along the Lebanese border for the past two months," during the trip.