Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a grave warning to Lebanon on Wednesday, painting a bleak picture of the country’s future if its citizens remain supportive of Hezbollah. Netanyahu’s stark message came ahead of a planned phone conversation with US President Joe Biden to discuss a potential response to an Iranian attack earlier this month.
Addressing the Lebanese people directly, Netanyahu cautioned, “You have an opportunity to save Lebanon before it falls into the abyss of a long war that will lead to destruction and suffering like we see in Gaza.” He urged them to “free your country from Hezbollah so that this war can end.” Netanyahu emphasized the critical juncture Lebanon faces, urging citizens to “Stand up and take back your country.” He warned that if they fail to do so, Hezbollah will continue to use Lebanon as a battleground, targeting Israel from densely populated areas, regardless of the potential consequences for Lebanese civilians.
The looming threat of a wider conflict comes as Israel prepares to retaliate for last week’s missile attack by Iran. The scheduled phone call between Biden and Netanyahu, their first since August 21, signifies rising tensions between the two nations. Israel has already launched offensive operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon during this seven-week period.
Amid the escalating situation, Hezbollah has dropped its initial demand for a truce in Gaza as a precondition for a ceasefire in Lebanon. Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary-General, Naim Qassem, stated that they “support the political efforts led by (Parliament Speaker Nabih) Berri under the banner of achieving a ceasefire.” He added that once a ceasefire is firmly established and diplomacy can proceed, “all other details will be discussed and decisions will be made collaboratively.”
According to a report by Israel’s Channel 12, the United States and Arab states have initiated covert negotiations with Iran to secure a comprehensive ceasefire, aiming to calm all conflict zones simultaneously. These behind-the-scenes talks, as reported by The Times of Israel, represent a significant effort to de-escalate the tense situation and prevent a full-blown regional conflict.
