Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday issued a stark warning to Lebanon, claiming the country could face a similar fate to Gaza if it continues to allow Hezbollah to operate within its borders. His statement came as the Israeli military intensified its offensive against Hezbollah along Lebanon's southern coastline, deploying additional troops and advising civilians to evacuate the region.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister on Tuesday issued a warning to Lebanon, claiming that the country would face "similar destruction like Gaza". Earlier today, Netanyahu confirmed that Israel assassinated Hashem Safieddine, the projected new Hezbollah leader, during an airstrike in Beirut last Thursday.
Safieddine was supposed to take over from Hassan Nasrallah, the longtime leader of Hezbollah. Furthermore, Netanyahu said that Israel had removed Safieddine's own heir, albeit he did not elaborate on this individual.
In a video address to the Lebanese people, Netanyahu urged them to free their country from Hezbollah's grip to avoid further destruction. "You have an opportunity to save Lebanon before it falls into the abyss of a long war that will lead to destruction and suffering like we see in Gaza," he said.
لديكم فرصة لإنقاذ لبنان قبل أن يقع في هاوية حرب طويلة من شأنها أن تؤدي إلى الدمار والمعاناة كما نراه في غزة. pic.twitter.com/sLcxXvSh7X
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 8, 2024
In another address directed to the Lebanese public, Netanyahu asserted that Israel has successfully “degraded Hezbollah’s capabilities,” describing the organization as “weaker than it has been for many, many years.” The prime minister emphasized Israel's continuous war against Hezbollah, saying that hundreds of Hezbollah militants, including Nasrallah and two of his successors, had died as a result of the recent bombings.
The statement emphasized Israel's determination to reduce Hezbollah's sway over the area. According to Netanyahu, the latest strikes are part of a calculated attempt to degrade Hezbollah's command structure by undermining the organization's leadership and interfering with its activities.
This is a message to the people of Lebanon: pic.twitter.com/btMQR0Xwtn
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 8, 2024
Israel's recent measures and Netanyahu's speech are expected to elicit reactions from regional players, notably Iran, a significant Hezbollah ally, as long as tensions remain. Although Hezbollah is a strong political and military force in Lebanon, Netanyahu's message speaks directly to the civilian population there, making any short-term shifts in power unlikely.