Israel’s Prime Minister has made a direct plea to the Lebanese populace to remove Hezbollah, urging them to avert “destruction and suffering like seen in Gaza”.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s appeal came amid an expansion of Israeli ground operations against Hezbollah, as thousands of additional troops were deployed into new areas of southwest Lebanon.
Netanyahu asserted that Israeli Defense Forces have eliminated the successor to Hezbollah’s former leader, Hassan Nasrallah, although the IDF later clarified it could not confirm the death of Hashem Safieddine.
In retaliation, Hezbollah fighters launched volleys of rockets aimed at the Israeli port city of Haifa for a third consecutive day, resulting in 12 injuries.
In a video addressed to Lebanon, Netanyahu stated: “You have an opportunity to save Lebanon from the depths of a prolonged war that will lead to devastation and suffering akin to what we witness in Gaza.”
“I urge you, the Lebanese people: Liberate your nation from Hezbollah to bring this conflict to an end.”
Despite three weeks of relentless Israeli attacks, Hezbollah stands resolute, with Lebanese officials claiming the conflict has resulted in over 1,400 deaths and the displacement of approximately 1.2 million people.
Earlier on Tuesday, Naim Qassem, Nasrallah’s former deputy, declared that Hezbollah has survived the recent “painful blows” from Israel and that the group’s capabilities remain intact.
Israel has intensified its military actions following nearly a year of cross-border skirmishes ignited by the Gaza war, aiming to ensure the safe return of tens of thousands of residents from Israeli border areas affected by Hezbollah’s offensive.
The escalation began when Hezbollah commenced rocket fire into northern Israel in solidarity with Palestinians on October 8, the day after Hamas launched a deadly attack in southern Israel.
The IDF reported that reservists from its 146th Division initiated “limited, localized, targeted operational activities” in southwest Lebanon.
This action complements the ongoing operations of three standing army divisions in various southern Lebanon regions since the invasion began on September 30, bringing total troop deployment to over 15,000.
The IDF announced it had seized a Hezbollah “combat compound” in the border village of Maroun al-Ras, showcasing images of weaponry, including a loaded rocket launcher uncovered within a residential area.
Drone footage documented extensive destruction in the village of Yaroun, an initial target of the invasion.
Meanwhile, UN officials have warned that the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon is reaching catastrophic levels.
The Lebanese government reports that around 1.2 million individuals have fled their homes over the past year, while approximately 180,000 people are seeking refuge in sanctioned displacement centers.
Additionally, over 400,000 have sought sanctuary in war-ravaged Syria, including more than 200,000 Syrian refugees, an occurrence described by the head of the UN’s refugee agency as one of “tragic absurdity”.
The World Food Programme has expressed grave concerns about Lebanon’s ability to sustain itself, citing extensive damage to farmland.
The IDF also conducted new air strikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Beirut and other Lebanese regions on Tuesday.
Earlier, it stated that a strike in the capital on Monday had resulted in the death of Hezbollah’s command center leader, Suhail Husseini.
Hezbollah has yet to acknowledge this claim. Should it be verified, it would mark another significant setback for the organization, which has lost several high-ranking members in recent operations.
Hashem Safieddine, an influential Hezbollah leader anticipated to succeed Nasrallah, has remained silent following an Israeli air strike last Thursday targeting him.
IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari indicated the military could not confirm claims of Safieddine’s death and was assessing the operation’s results.
Hezbollah’s deputy leader, in a defiant address, asserted the group’s command structure remains “solid” and operational.
“We are inflicting damage, and we will extend our efforts. Many cities are within the reach of our missiles. Rest assured, our capabilities are intact,” Naim Qassem stated.
However, he did not reiterate the previous precondition of ending the Gaza conflict for halting attacks on Israel.
Qassem expressed support for diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire, suggesting a potential shift in Hezbollah’s stance.
This statement coincided with the firing of over 100 rockets towards Haifa Bay and surrounding areas, while the IDF claimed most were intercepted with no significant casualties reported.
A direct hit on Haifa occurred on Sunday night, a notable event since the last major conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006.
