During a visit to the Gaza border, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told troops that the tanks coming out of battle in Rafah “could reach as far as the Litani” — a reference to a Lebanon river 10 miles north of Israel’s border, and the line to which Israel is demanding that Hezbollah retreats its forces.

Gallant said that Israeli army would be ready to take any action necessary against Hezbollah, though the preference is still to reach a negotiated arrangement.

“We are striking Hezbollah very hard every day and we will also reach a state of full readiness to take any action required in Lebanon, or to reach an arrangement from a position of strength. We prefer an arrangement, but if reality forces us we will know how to fight,” Gallant is quoted as saying in a statement issued by his office.