Netanyahu: Lebanon truce will allow Israel to “focus on Iranian threat”

In a speech, which as planned took place at 8 p.m., the Israeli Prime Minister announced that the security cabinet would adopt a ceasefire in Lebanon “this evening”. “The war did not end until all objectives were achieved, including the return of the northerners to their homes,” he nevertheless warned.

After emphasizing that Israel is engaged on seven fronts (Gaza, West Bank, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Lebanon), Netanyahu quickly listed the “achievements” of the Israeli army and issued a warning to the Syrian president. “Bashar must understand that he is playing with fire,” he said in reference to the smuggling of weapons to Lebanon for Hezbollah.

“Three months ago this would have seemed like science fiction. But we did it,” he said, adding that Israel had “changed the face of the Middle East.” “I look at all these fronts in parallel, I look at the big picture, and I want to give our soldiers everything they need to preserve their lives and achieve victory. This is why we have this ceasefire today,” he continued.

But immediately, he assured that Israel retains “full freedom of military action in Lebanon”. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement, we will attack,” he insisted. Hezbollah, which he believes has been taken back “around ten years”.

The reasons for the timing of the truce

Regarding the timing of the truce, the Israeli Prime Minister listed three reasons. “First, we must focus on the Iranian threat,” he said, explaining that he did not want to dwell on this point today. On Iran, which he describes as “the head of the octopus”, Netanyahu said, in the introduction, that he was determined “to do whatever it takes to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. That’s the most important thing.” At the start of his speech, he said the Israeli military had destroyed major parts of its air defense, missile production and much of its nuclear program.

“The second reason is that we must simply allow the troops to rest, (…) and we must acquire new ammunition to protect the soldiers,” he continued.

As for the third, it is about “isolating Hamas”. Concerning Gaza, the Prime Minister insisted on his desire to bring all the hostages in Gaza home. “We are committed to completing the eradication of Hamas,” he added.

“I know what people are saying: if we enter into a ceasefire, we will not be able to resume the war. But I would like to remind you that this is exactly what I was told, exactly what I was told when we agreed to the ceasefire in Gaza to free our hostages. It was said that we would not resume fighting. But we took them back. And we took them back in force,” he also said.

“A good agreement is one that is implemented. And we will implement it,” he said, adding that “the duration of the ceasefire depends on what happens in Lebanon.” “With God’s help, we will establish security, we will return the north to the way it was, and we will continue until victory,” he concluded.