Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday said Israeli forces “continue to strike” Hezbollah in southern Lebanon even as negotiations are under way to secure long-term peace.In a video message posted on X, Netanyahu voiced support for residents of northern Israel and highlighted ongoing military action. “I support the residents of the north who continue to stand firm. At the same time, our forces continue to strike Hezbollah. Focused fighting in Bint Jbeil,” he said.“Bint Jbeil–this was the Hezbollah capital in southern Lebanon. This is the place where Hassan Nasrallah said 26 years ago, ‘The Israelis are spiderwebs.’ We are going to defeat Bint Jbeil; we are actually going to eliminate this large Hezbollah stronghold,” he added.Netanyahu said he has instructed the military to expand operations. “At the same time, I gave instructions yesterday to the IDF to continue thickening the security zone, and also to deploy it eastwards to the slopes of Hermon, so that we can help our Druze brothers even better in times of distress,” he said.He also pointed to renewed diplomatic engagement with Lebanon, noting that such talks had not taken place in decades. “At the same time, we are conducting negotiations with Lebanon. These negotiations have not taken place for 40 years or more. They are taking place now because we are very strong and the countries are coming to us—not just Lebanon,” he said.Outlining Israel’s goals, Netanyahu said, “In the negotiations with Lebanon, there are two main goals: one, dismantling Hezbollah, and two, sustainable peace—peace through strength.”Netanyahu also said that Israel and the US are fully aligned in their objective to contain Iran. “Our American friends keep us constantly updated on their contacts with Iran. The objectives of the United States and our own are identical,” he said in a televised speech.“We want to see enriched material removed from Iran; we want to see the elimination of enrichment capability within Iran; and, of course, we want to see the (Hormuz) strait reopened,” he added.On the wider West Asia crisis, he noted that the situation remains uncertain. “It’s too early to say how this thing will end, or how it will even progress, and regarding the possibility that the fighting will resume, we are prepared for any scenario.”Talks between Israel and Lebanon are ongoing, with the security cabinet expected to review ceasefire prospects. However, hostilities continue on the ground, with both sides exchanging fire and residents in southern Lebanon being advised to evacuate amid escalating tensions.
