Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday issued a strong warning to Lebanon, asserting that the country could suffer consequences similar to that of Gaza if the militant group Hezbollah continues to operate freely within its borders. Netanyahu’s remarks came as Israel ramped up its military offensive against Hezbollah, concentrating efforts along Lebanon’s southern coast.

The Israeli military has increased troop deployments in the area and urged civilians to leave the region as the conflict escalates.

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In a video message addressing people in Lebanon, Netanyahu asked them to not let Hezbollah flourish in their country to avoid further escalation of the ongoing unrest. “You have an opportunity to save Lebanon before it falls into the abyss of a long war that will lead to destruction and suffering as we see in Gaza. I say to you, the people of Lebanon: Free your country from Hezbollah so that this war can end,” he said.

Besides, Netanyahu said the IDF had eliminated Hashem Safieddine, the successor of Hezbollah's slain former chief Hassan Nasrallah in airstrikes which targeted his location in Beirut. “We have degraded Hezbollah’s capabilities; we took out thousands of terrorists, including Nasrallah himself, and Nasrallah’s replacement, and the replacement of his replacement. Today, Hezbollah is weaker than it has been for many many years,” he added.

Hezbollah, however, is steadfast despite recent challenges. Naim Qassem, the group's deputy leader, emphasised that their military capabilities were intact and that they were prepared for an extended conflict.

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The current tensions trace back to October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, leading to the deaths of over a thousand civilians. Since then, Hezbollah, a strong ally of Hamas, has sporadically engaged with Israeli forces. In retaliation, Israel has committed to defending its northern border and protecting its citizens from Hezbollah's ongoing rocket strikes.