Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed in a video he released this evening (Tuesday), while addressing the citizens of Lebanon, that Israel had assassinated the successor to Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.
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Netanyahu opened his address to the Lebanese citizens: "Do you remember the days when your country was called the 'Pearl of the Middle East'? I remember. What happened to Lebanon? A gang of tyrants and terrorists destroyed it, that's what happened. Lebanon was once known for its tolerance, its beauty. Today it is a place of chaos, a place of war.
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""Israel withdrew from Lebanon 25 years ago. But the country that actually occupied Lebanon was not Israel, but Iran. Iran finances and arms Hezbollah so that it serves Iranian interests - at the expense of Lebanon. Hezbollah turned Lebanon into a weapons and ammunition depot and a forward military base for Iran.".
He added: "Just one day after the October 7 massacre, a year ago, Hezbollah joined the war against Israel. It launched a surprise attack on our cities and citizens. Since then, it has launched more than 8,000 missiles at Israel, killing civilians indiscriminately - Jews, Christians, Muslims and Druze. Israel has decided to put an end to this. We have decided to do whatever it takes to return our citizens to their homes safely. Israel has the right to defend itself. Israel also has the right to win! And Israel will win.".
Netanyahu added and revealed: "We have damaged Hezbollah's capabilities; we have eliminated thousands of terrorists, including Nasrallah himself, Nasrallah's heir, and Nasrallah's heir's heir.".
He addressed the Lebanese: "Today, Hezbollah is weaker than it has been in many years. Now you, the citizens of Lebanon, stand at an important crossroads. The choice is in your hands. You can take back your country. You can put it back on the path of peace and prosperity.".
""If you don't do this, Hezbollah will continue to try to fight Israel from densely populated areas - at your expense. It doesn't care if Lebanon is dragged into a wider war. Christians, Druze, Muslims - Sunni and Shiite alike - you all suffer because of Hezbollah's futile war on Israel.".
The Prime Minister continued: "Today I ask every mother and father in Lebanon a simple question - is it worth it? Because it doesn't have to be this way. I know you want a better future for your children.
""So, today I speak to all of you. There is a better way - better for your children, for your cities, for your villages, for your country. You deserve to return Lebanon to the days of peace. You deserve a different Lebanon. One country - one flag - one people.
""Do not allow these terrorists to destroy your future any more than they have already destroyed. Stand tall and take back your country. You are facing an opportunity you have not had in decades, an opportunity to care for the future of your children and grandchildren.".
""You have an opportunity to save Lebanon before it falls into the abyss of a long war that will bring destruction and suffering similar to what we see in Gaza. It doesn't have to be this way. Each of you can take a step towards your future. Even a small step.".
""I say to you, citizens of Lebanon: Free your country from Hezbollah so that this war can end. Free yourselves from Hezbollah so that your country can prosper again, so that future generations of Lebanese children and Israeli children will know no more war and bloodshed, but will live, finally, together in peace.".
