Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that Israel had “settled” its accounts with the head of the Lebanese Islamist organization Hezbollah, Hasan Nasrallah, killed this Friday in an Israeli bombing on the outskirts of Beirut.
“I gave the order and Nasrallah is no longer among us”
“We settle our accounts with the person responsible for the murder of countless Israelis and many citizens of other countries, including hundreds of Americans and dozens of French,” the Israeli leader said in his first statement since Nasrallah’s death.
Netanyahu claimed that as long as “terrorist” Nasrallah was alive, he could have “quickly restored Hezbollah’s capabilities that we had eroded” in a series of recent operations. “Then I gave the order and Nasrallah is no longer among us,” he declared.
Nasrallah’s death, he continued, represents “what appears to be a historic turning point” in Israel’s fight against its “enemies.”
Death of Hezbollah leader will allow “advance” in the release of the hostages
According to Netanyahu, faced with numerous criticisms for his policies since the start of the conflict in Gaza almost a year ago, taking down the Hezbollah leader was essential to achieving Israel’s objectives.
Likewise, he maintained that The elimination of the leader backed by Iran will allow “progress” in the release of the hostages kidnapped in Israel and taken to Gaza by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023.
“We are determined to continue hitting our enemies,” Netanyahu also declared upon returning from New York, where he participated in the UN General Assembly.
Keep reading:
• Iran’s dilemma over whether or not to support Hezbollah against Israel
• The crisis worsens in Lebanon, more than 90,000 people are displaced in 72 hours
• Benjamin Netanyahu rules out possible truce in Lebanon
