Benjamin Netanyahu on Lebanon

Benjamin Netanyahu views Hezbollah as an existential threat dragging Lebanon into a war that is not in the country's interest. He has explicitly warned the people of Lebanon that they must address Hezbollah and its military activities to avoid further conflict initiated by the group's alignment with the Iranian regime. This position stems from Hezbollah escalating hostilities, such as firing rockets toward the Tel Aviv region, which he characterizes as a "very big mistake" for which Israel will respond with force. The Prime Minister maintains that Hezbollah's primary loyalty is to Tehran, not the Lebanese populace, especially following the elimination of the Iranian Supreme Leader.

His government's response has involved forceful military action against Hezbollah targets in Southern Lebanon, with operational scope expanding, indicating a firm resolve against the organization's presence on the border. The situation is framed as a moment where Lebanon's Western-backed government has a final opportunity to implement its commitment to disarm the group to prevent a larger escalation. International actors, including the French President, have urged him to refrain from a full ground offensive to preserve Lebanese sovereignty and support the fragile Lebanese government's efforts, even as military deployments suggest otherwise.