🔴 LIVE from Beirut – Earlier Netanyahu threatened Lebanese individuals of destruction “like Gaza”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning to the Lebanese, threatening that their country would face "destruction" similar to that seen in Gaza unless Hezbollah is ousted. Netanyahu urged the Lebanese population to "liberate" themselves from the Iranian-backed movement, warning that the consequences would be disastrous for Lebanon, just as they have been for Gaza, where Israeli strikes over the past year have caused widespread devastation. His statement comes as Israel intensifies its ground offensive in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah’s infrastructure.
In the same address, Netanyahu claimed that Israel had already eliminated Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader, along with his successors, though he did not name them. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant echoed this message, describing Hezbollah as a weakened organisation following recent Israeli airstrikes.
Despite the heavy losses inflicted on Hezbollah, the group continues to launch rocket attacks on Israeli territory. Tensions in the region have escalated as Israel launched a ground offensive in southern Lebanon, accompanied by airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions. The aim is to push Hezbollah back and secure the border areas, which have been destabilised by ongoing clashes.
In response to Israel’s threats, Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, insisted that, despite the Israeli strikes, the organisation remains strong and well-organised. He dismissed claims that Hezbollah had been weakened, stressing the group’s resilience in the face of Israeli assaults.
Israel’s offensive in Lebanon follows a year marked by increasing cross-border attacks. The escalation peaked on 23 September when Israel launched massive bombing raids on Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon, leading to a growing number of civilian casualties and displaced people. Since October 2023, more than 2,000 people have been killed in Lebanon, including over 1,100 since the latest military campaign began. More than one million people have also been displaced within the country, worsening the humanitarian crisis.
Netanyahu also reiterated the objectives of the war against both Hamas and Hezbollah: to overthrow these movements, recover Israeli hostages and their remains, and ensure Israel’s security. The Hamas attack on 7 October 2023 resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people in Israel, mostly civilians. Of the 251 individuals abducted by Hamas, 97 are still being held in Gaza.
In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes continue to wreak havoc, with thousands of civilians killed since the offensive began. According to Palestinian authorities, at least 41,965 Palestinians have died over the past year, the majority of them civilians, a figure confirmed by the UN.
Meanwhile, Israel and Iran continue to clash, following Iran’s missile attack on 1 October, when around 200 missiles were fired at Israeli territory. Israel has warned that it is preparing a response to this attack, while Iran has stated that any action by Israel against its infrastructure will trigger even stronger retaliation.
#israel #lebanon #hezbollah #Netanyahu
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