Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed testimonies today (Monday) from fighters on the ground who claim their hands are being tied in the face of deadly attacks by the Hezbollah terror organization, asserting: “The directive is clear and has not changed: our fighters in southern Lebanon have full freedom of action to thwart any direct or emerging threat to themselves or to the residents of the north.”
1+Netanyahu further clarified that “the IDF faces no restrictions in this matter,” and emphasized his backing for the fighters who are being attacked even during the ceasefire: “I stand behind them, and the entire nation stands behind them.”
Additionally, the Prime Minister addressed reports regarding an Israeli withdrawal, declaring: “I stand firm that we will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as required to protect the residents of the north and all citizens of the country.”
1+Earlier today, Middle East analyst Yoni Ben Menachem issued a severe warning during an interview with Tal Meir ahead of the start of talks in Washington: “Security officials informed me that talks are already beginning regarding an Israeli withdrawal from areas we captured, including the Beaufort.”
According to him, “The Americans are already trying to dictate our exit from Lebanon before the issue of Hezbollah’s disarmament has been resolved. Our sons are falling there, and now they want us to fold without a serious solution that guarantees the safety of northern residents against an invasion by the Radwan Force, anti-tank missiles, and rocket fire—these developments are extremely dangerous.”