 Iran declares Lebanon's participation in war with Israel. Iran openly acknowledged direct involvement of Lebanon in maintaining the border town of Yahroun in the south, providing a glimpse into the daily battles along the Lebanon-Israel demarcation line. Iran's official news agency IRNA quoted the Aerospace Force commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Major General Amir Ali Hadzadeh, stating, The war's scope has widened, Lebanon is now at war and the war may escalate further. The future is unclear but Iran is prepared for all circumstances. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a new warning to Hezbollah affirming, We will respond to fire with much stronger fire. Netanyahu stated some believe they can expand attacks against our forces and civilians. This is playing with fire. Israel declared its intent to restore security to the north and south, vowing to destroy Hamas. Meanwhile, Israeli Chief of Staff General Herzai Halevi announced an assessment in the Northern Command in Safed pledging to restore security for northern Israeli residents due to repeated missile attacks by Hezbollah and Palestinian factions allied with it.