Netanyahu: We will not withdraw as long as Hezbollah exists and poses a threat to us - Sarmad
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking from southern Lebanon, affirmed that his forces would remain there as long as Hezbollah poses a threat. He added, “Our position is clear: we will not leave southern Lebanon until the threat is eliminated. As long as Hezbollah is here, armed, and threatening us, we will stay here.”
Addressing his troops, he said, “Thanks to what you are doing, Lebanon recognizes Israel, and Israel recognizes Lebanon. We are telling Iran and Hezbollah: leave this place, for you no longer have a place here… There are two sovereign states that wish to live in peace.”
On Tuesday, Netanyahu and his Defense Minister, Israel Katz, toured the “security zone” in southern Lebanon, where they received a comprehensive briefing on the military operations being conducted by the army in the area.
According to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu and Katz were also briefed on the modern capabilities, ammunition, and combat systems designated to counter drone threats.
Netanyahu stated that “the most important link in the Iranian axis was here, namely Hezbollah, which possessed approximately 150,000 rockets and missiles, representing the densest rocket concentration on earth. Today, only about 8 percent of this arsenal remains.” He noted that “this still constitutes a threat, but it is not what it was. We have killed 9,000 members of Hezbollah, including hundreds in recent weeks.”
He added, “The most important thing is that we have established buffer and security zones, not on the Israeli side of the border, but within their territory. We are doing this in Lebanon, and we have also done so in Gaza.” He considered that “these security zones represent a shift in security concepts, as they mean we will not allow a terrorist army to position itself on our borders,” referring to Hezbollah.
Netanyahu spoke of directives issued to his forces, along with his Defense Minister and Chief of Staff, to “immediately deal with any threat,” stating that “this is a strict directive.”
He said, “Lebanon recognizes Israel, and Israel recognizes Lebanon. We are telling Iran and Hezbollah: leave here, for you have no business here. There are two sovereign states that wish to make peace between them and restore security and prosperity to the people of the north and to the people of Lebanon as well. This is a strong blow to the Iranian axis, which may not go down quietly.”
Netanyahu concluded his remarks by saying, “We will continue to adhere to our position of not withdrawing from southern Lebanon until the threat is eliminated. As long as Hezbollah is here, armed, and threatening us, we will continue to remain here.”
