Netanyahu: Israel pursuing “peace through strength” in Lebanon

Israel continues its military operations against Hezbollah units, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, stressing that the country seeks “peace through strength” in Lebanon.

“Our forces continue to strike Hezbollah. The fighting is concentrated in Bint Jbeil, which was Hezbollah’s capital in southern Lebanon.<...> We are close to capturing Bint Jbeil — in essence, we will soon destroy this major Hezbollah stronghold,” Netanyahu said in a video address released by his office amid reports of a possible ceasefire in Lebanon.

He added that he had instructed the army to “continue expanding the security zone” in southern Lebanon and to extend it eastward toward the slopes of Mount Hermon. “At the same time, we are holding talks with Lebanon. These negotiations have not taken place for more than 40 years. They have begun now because we are very strong, and not only Lebanon but other countries are reaching out to us. There are two main goals in the negotiations with Lebanon: first, the disarmament of Hezbollah, and second, the establishment of lasting peace — peace through strength,” the Israeli prime minister said.

Israel has been conducting a military operation against Hezbollah since March 2, after the group launched strikes on Israeli territory in response to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israeli air forces have been targeting sites across Lebanon, while ground troops continue their offensive in the south of the country.

By Jeyhun Aghazada