Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has told Israeli troops stationed in northern Israel that while the government prefers to reach a political resolution with Hezbollah, Israel is ready for combat if the Lebanese armed group wants one, Al Jazeera reports.

“Our alternatives are significant, and we’re ready for each. We prepare a defence and an attack, and this whole thing can happen very quickly,” Gallant told the troops, the Haaretz newspaper reports.

“On the other hand […] we’re working on a political alternative. It’s always better. We aren’t looking for a war, but we’re ready for one”, he continued. “[If Hezbollah chooses war], we’ll know what to do. If it chooses peace, we’ll respond accordingly.”