In a recent speech, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, saying that any war with Israel would result in Lebanon’s destruction. Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of stockpiling thousands of rockets and missiles in civilian areas, posing a grave threat to Israel’s security and sovereignty. He also blamed Iran for supporting and arming Hezbollah, calling it a “terrorist regime” that seeks to wipe out Israel.
Netanyahu’s remarks came amid rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, which have been engaged in a series of cross-border skirmishes and exchanges of fire in recent weeks. The two sides fought a devastating 34-day war in 2006, which ended with an UN-brokered ceasefire that remains fragile and frequently violated. Both sides have vowed to inflict heavy damage on each other in case of another conflict, raising fears of a regional escalation.
Netanyahu’s warning to Hezbollah was also seen as a message to the international community, especially the United States, which is currently engaged in indirect talks with Iran over reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. Netanyahu has been a vocal opponent of the deal, arguing that it would enable Iran to pursue its nuclear ambitions and increase its support for its proxies in the region, such as Hezbollah. He has urged the US and its allies to impose more sanctions on Iran and to confront its aggression in the region.
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Netanyahu warns Hezbollah: War means Lebanon’s destruction
In a televised speech on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and its patron Iran, saying that any attack on Israel would result in a devastating response that would destroy Lebanon’s infrastructure and civilian population.
Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of hiding thousands of rockets and missiles in residential areas, using the Lebanese people as human shields. He said that Israel would not hesitate to target those sites if provoked, regardless of the collateral damage.
He also blamed Iran for supplying Hezbollah with advanced weapons and fueling the conflict in the region. He said that Israel would not allow Iran to establish a permanent military presence in Syria or Iraq, and that Israel would defend itself against any Iranian aggression.
Netanyahu’s speech came amid rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, following a series of cross-border incidents in recent weeks. On August 25, Hezbollah fired several rockets at northern Israel, claiming to have killed or wounded Israeli soldiers. Israel denied any casualties and retaliated with artillery fire and airstrikes.
On September 1, Israel said it had thwarted an attempted drone attack by Hezbollah near the border with Syria. Hezbollah denied any involvement and accused Israel of fabricating the incident to justify its own attacks.
Both sides have vowed to continue their operations and have warned each other of severe consequences in case of further escalation. The United Nations and several countries have called for restraint and dialogue, fearing a repeat of the 2006 war that killed more than 1,000 people and displaced millions.