Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar  opined that the Lebanese government “did not deal with the threat in southern Lebanon in an appropriate manner,” in light of escalating tensions on the border. He added that Hezbollah “dragged Lebanon into an Iranian war,” accusing the party of threatening regional stability and endangering civilians, stressing that Israel “will not allow the threat to the residents of the north to be repeated.” Sa’ar stressed that his country is “serious in its negotiations with Lebanon,” but stressed the necessity of “implementing the agreements in a way that ensures that they do not pose any threat” to Israel. He also pointed out that Israel "does not have any expansionist ambitions in Lebanon."