Israel's Herzog, IDF chief visit northern border amid tensions with Hezbollah

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi on Wednesday toured Israel's northern border with Lebanon, along with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, in light of heightened tensions with the Hezbollah terror group.

"I look over the other side of the border at Lebanon. Lebanon is in havoc, it is collapsing, and it is a tragedy. We extend our hands to the Lebanese people. They don't deserve this, they don't deserve the Iranian spell that kills and ruins many parts of their country," Herzog said in a statement.

"Most importantly, I want to tell our enemies - especially Hezbollah on the other side of the border - don't be mistaken. The IDF is strong, it is united. It is capable and will protect and defend our sovereignty and the security and well-being of the people of Israel. This is our top priority” the Israeli president asserted.

Commander of the IDF’s Northern Command, Uri Gordin, accompanied Halevi as they toured the construction of a security fence along the Israel-Lebanon Border, inspecting the progress made in recent months.

The senior commanders also presented a defense assessment of the area, as well as efforts to strengthen the security of Israeli residents in the north. The IDF officials concluded with a situation assessment, during which recent events were reviewed and a variety of measures which were used to thwart sovereignty violations in the border area were presented.

Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Monday that the country will also complete a security barrier on the border with Jordan, to prevent the smuggling of weapons into the West Bank, noting that Iran intensified its efforts to transfer arms to Palestinian terrorist groups. 

Two weeks ago, on July 20, the Hezbollah-affiliated media channel Al-Manar shared footage of Halevi on Israel’s northern front. The Israeli military head was seen with his entourage, as filmed by the Lebanese on their side of the border.