Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made his first public comments following an Israeli airstrike that killed Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, in Beirut on Friday. Netanyahu spoke from Israel Defense Forces headquarters in Tel Aviv on Saturday, stating that the assassination of Nasrallah was a response to the numerous attacks carried out by Hezbollah against Israelis and citizens of other countries.
Netanyahu emphasized that eliminating Nasrallah was necessary to achieve the goals set by Israel, particularly in light of the recent displacement of tens of thousands of Israelis due to cross-border fire in the north of the country. He expressed concern that as long as Nasrallah remained alive, Hezbollah would continue to pose a threat to Israel.
The Israeli prime minister did not mention a US-led ceasefire proposal for the Israel-Lebanon border in his remarks, which followed a defiant speech he delivered at the United Nations General Assembly. In his speech, Netanyahu vowed to continue the fight against Hezbollah and issued a direct warning to Iran, asserting that Israel's reach extended across the Middle East.
Netanyahu declared that Israel had reached a 'historic turning point' and reaffirmed the country's commitment to striking its enemies, ensuring the return of displaced residents to their homes, and securing the release of all abductees. He emphasized that Israel would not waver in its efforts to protect its citizens and combat threats to its security.
