Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a direct appeal to the people of Lebanon on Tuesday, urging them to take back their country from the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group. In a video address, Benjamin Netanyahu referred to Lebanon as “once the pearl of the Middle East” and lamented how Hezbollah had turned it into “a stockpile of ammunition and a forward Iranian military base.”
The message came just hours after Israel expanded its ground operations in southern Lebanon as part of its ongoing ‘Operation Northern Arrows’ against Hezbollah. Israel has been conducting targeted strikes and deploying additional troops to the region, escalating the conflict that has now entered its third week.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s address aimed at stirring action among Lebanese citizens emphasized the contrast between Lebanon’s past reputation for beauty and tolerance and its current state of chaos under Hezbollah’s control. “Lebanon was once known for its tolerance, for its beauty. Today, it’s a place of chaos, a place of war,” Benjamin Netanyahu stated. He warned that Lebanon is on the brink of further devastation, similar to the destruction seen in Gaza, and implored its people to intervene before it was too late.
“Now you, the Lebanese people, stand at a significant crossroads. It is your choice. You can take back your country and return it to a path of peace and prosperity,” he said, emphasizing that if they fail to act, Hezbollah would continue to use Lebanon’s densely populated areas as shields for its military actions against Israel.
Benjamin Netanyahu also reiterated his resolve to defeat Hezbollah, stating that Israel has already killed thousands of militants and vowed to eliminate the group’s leadership, including its current chief, Hassan Nasrallah. “Israel has decided to put an end to this. We’ve decided to do whatever is necessary to return our people safely to their homes,” he declared, asserting Israel’s right to defend itself and to “win” the ongoing conflict.
Despite Israel’s advances, Hezbollah has remained defiant. Earlier on Tuesday, Naim Qassem, the former deputy to Hassan Nasrallah, stated that the group had weathered Israel’s “painful blows” and remained capable of continuing its fight. The conflict has already claimed over 1,400 lives and displaced 1.2 million people in Lebanon, according to reports.
As the fighting intensifies,Benjamin Netanyahu’s message was a clear attempt to rally the Lebanese public against Hezbollah, appealing to their memories of Lebanon’s more prosperous and peaceful past while warning of the consequences of inaction.
