Israel will “carry out military operations” against Hezbollah even in the event of a truce agreement in Lebanon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Monday in Jerusalem.
“The most important thing is not (what is on) paper if there is an (agreement) but the fact that we will have the obligation, in order to ensure security in the North (of Israel) , to systematically carry out operations against possible attacks by Hezbollah (…), but also to prevent (its) reinforcement,” Mr. Netanyahu declared in Parliament.
Benjamin Netanyahu also confirmed the information published in the press on the attack on Iranian nuclear power in October. The airstrikes carried out by Israel at the end of October against Iran hit “an element of the nuclear program” of the Islamic Republic, he declared, before adding: “It is not a secret, it has been published, an element of the nuclear plan was hit in this attack, but the program itself and its ability to operate have not yet been eliminated.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also indicated Israel’s main conditions for any potential settlement with Lebanon, according to Israeli Army Radio.
These conditions are focused on resolving security concerns and ensuring Israel’s operational freedom in the region.
Netanyahu highlighted the following demands, insisting that Hezbollah, which has a strong presence in South Lebanon, must be kept away from its border to reduce the threat of confrontation. He also stressed the importance of “closing supply routes used to transport weapons and other resources from Syria to Lebanon”, which strengthen the militant group’s arsenal.
These conditions come as tension remains high along the Israeli-Lebanese border, with recent clashes highlighting the continued volatility of the situation in the region. Netanyahu’s statements underscore Israel’s strong stance on security, which is a non-negotiable aspect of any deal with Lebanon.
“We were confronted with three proposed strategies to deal with Hezbollah. I opted for a fourth: the dismantling of its missile capabilities. We have destroyed 70 to 80 percent of Hezbollah’s missile systems, but the group retains considerable firepower, Mr. Netanyahu said.
No official public response has yet been issued by Lebanese officials regarding these conditions.
“A war of survival”
Furthermore, Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of obstructing a possible prisoner exchange agreement, citing statements from American officials to support his claims. “We are engaged in a new war for the survival and future of our state,” he said.
“Efforts to bring back our hostages have not stopped for a single moment. It is Hamas, not Israel, which is preventing the conclusion of a prisoner exchange agreement. American officials, including Mr. Kirby (spokesman for the White House National Security Council, editor’s note) and others, confirmed that Hamas refused negotiations and remained the main obstacle.
“We have destroyed a significant part of Hamas’ capabilities. Although the work is not yet finished, we have made substantial progress, Mr. Netanyahu concluded.
