“Israeli” Chief of Staff Rules Out Imminent War with Lebanon

"Since the Second Lebanon War, we have done an inclusive review of the possibility we may need to fight again in the North. We understand what we need to do next time and the army has the answer," Ashkenazi told Army Radio in a question and answer session. "It is a strong and high quality military, and I trust it," he stressed.

After claiming that his army has managed to gain effective deterrence in the north, Ashkenazi said that it was not in Hizbullah's interest to start a new conflict. "We are monitoring closely what is happening inside of Lebanon. Hizbullah continues to become stronger," he said.

"I think Hezbollah is not interested, at least at the moment, in renewing actions. But at the same time we are not complacent, we are following events," he added.

Turning to Iran, the "Israeli" General claimed the best way to deal with Tehran's nuclear program is sanctions. "If sanctions don't work, Israel has the right to defend itself, and all means can be used to achieve this," Ashkenazi threatened.

About a UN report on "Israel's" winter offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the "Israeli" chief of staff said the document was "biased and unbalanced."