Israel said on Tuesday that if war were to break out with Hezbollah, it would result in Lebanon returning “to the stone age”.

“Do not make a mistake. We do not want a war. But we are prepared to protect our civilians, our soldiers, and our sovereignty,” Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said.

Addressing Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, Gallant further said, “You have made mistakes in the past, you have paid very heavy prices. If … an escalation or conflict develops here, we will return Lebanon to the Stone Age.”

Speaking during a visit to the border area, Gallant went on to say that Israel would not hesitate to use its power to “erode every inch of Hezbollah and Lebanon if we have to”.

Israel recently accused Hezbollah of increased provocations, such as the erection of two tents in the disputed border area.

Peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) have been monitoring the border area between Israel and Lebanon since 1978.

The last time there was a month-long war between the two sides was in 2006.