Speaking at the state memorial marking 20 years since the Second Lebanon War, Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israel will do everything to reach a peace agreement with Lebanon. He vowed to remain in the southern Lebanon buffer zone as long as needed, described Hezbollah as a 'fanatical cult' that hijacked a beautiful country, and rejected an Iranian demand for Israel's withdrawal.
Speaking at the state memorial ceremony marking 20 years since the Second Lebanon War (2006), Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a sweeping address that touched on the current military and diplomatic situation along Israel's northern border.
Netanyahu described the war as a pivotal moment, recounting how his government decided to strike Hezbollah 'with all our strength' despite warnings of heavy casualties. He declared that Israel has now reversed the strategic balance: 'We are the ones looking down on Lebanon — we created a wide buffer zone along the entire northern border. We will remain in the southern Lebanon security zone as long as necessary, and will return security and prosperity to the residents of the north.'
The Prime Minister directly addressed the Iran factor, saying Iran sought to force an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon — 'that will not happen.' He then pivoted to an expression of hope for a different future, stating Israel will 'do everything to eventually reach a peace agreement between the two countries.' He characterized Lebanon as a 'beautiful and unfortunate country' with 'beautiful people,' but whose tragedy is being 'captured by a fanatical cult' — Hezbollah — that seeks to destroy Israel by invading from its territory.
As The Zioneer reported earlier today (Wednesday 12:04 Jerusalem), Netanyahu had already previewed the peace-deal framing at the same event; today's fuller address adds the explicit rejection of Iranian demands and the extended characterization of Lebanon's plight. The memorial comes amid ongoing IDF presence in a south Lebanon buffer zone and active diplomatic efforts, including a recent agreement framework. Defense Minister Katz separately warned this week that Israel would strike Iran a third time if necessary.
3 developments
- StrongNetanyahu at brother's memorial: We'll stay in Lebanon buffer zone as long as needed
- ConfirmedNetanyahu details Lebanon security-zone framework; warns Iran against attack
- StrongNetanyahu sees Lebanon deal as major setback for Iran, pushes for broad coalition
- StrongHezbollah welcomes Lebanon ceasefire; PM pledges to press for Israeli withdrawal
Source and signal
- Internal intake