Hezbollah Vows to Attack Tel Aviv Centre, Kills IDF Soldier, Civilian Who Unlawfully Entered Lebanon

The Israeli military said on Nov. 20 that a soldier and a 71-year-old civilian were killed in Lebanon during a gun battle with Hezbollah. According to the army, Ze’ev ‘Jabo’ Hanoch Erlich was killed as he entered Lebanon without required approvals, though accompanied by a soldier.Earlier on Nov. 20, the IDF announced the death of a 22-year-old soldier who “fell during combat in southern Lebanon.”The army announced that the two were killed in the same incident including 71-year-old reservist Ze’ev ‘Jabo’ Hanoch Erlich. Col. Yoav Yarom, the Golani Brigade’s chief of staff who was accompanying Erlich, was moderately wounded in the gun battle with the Hezbollah operatives.Meanwhile, Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem warned that the group will strike the “center of Tel Aviv” if Israel continues to bomb Beirut. Qassem reiterated that Hezbollah would not accept any truce that violated Lebanon’s sovereignty. The Hezbollah leader’s remarks came as Israel demanded freedom to act against the Iran-backed group in the event of a deal. Hezbollah seeks a “complete and comprehensive end to the aggression” and “the preservation of Lebanon’s sovereignty”, Qassem said.The new Hezbollah chief added that “Israeli enemy cannot enter (Lebanese territory) whenever it wants.” “Israel cannot defeat us and cannot impose its conditions on us,” Qassem said in a pre-recorded speech on Nov. 20.