Israel has 'no interest in war' on border with Lebanon: defence minister

Israel is not interested in having a war on its northern frontier with Lebanon, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said as tensions mount between the two countries.

"We have no interest in a war in the north, we don't want to escalate the situation," Gallant said in a video released by his office, as he visited troops in the country's south.

"If Hezbollah chooses the path of war, it will pay a very heavy price... But if it restrains itself, we'll respect the situation and keep things the way they are, despite them being in a process of shooting from both sides."