Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Saturday (September 28, 2024) that Israel had avenged the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike in Beirut.
“We have exacted revenge on the individual responsible for the deaths of numerous Israelis and citizens of other nations, including many Americans and French,” he stated in his first public address following Nasrallah’s demise on Friday.
His remarks referenced the 1983 bombings in Beirut that resulted in the deaths of 63 individuals at the US embassy, 241 US marines, and 58 French paratroopers at their base.
Netanyahu emphasized that as long as the “terrorist” Nasrallah was alive, he would work swiftly to restore Hezbollah’s diminished capabilities from recent military operations.
“Therefore, I gave the order – and Nasrallah is no longer among us.”
The Israeli leader proclaimed that his nation stood at the brink of a potentially pivotal moment in the battle against its adversaries.
According to Netanyahu, who has faced mounting criticism domestically and internationally for his handling of the conflict in Gaza over the past year, eliminating the Hezbollah leader was crucial to achieving Israel’s objectives.
“The removal of Nasrallah is a vital step towards realizing our objectives: the secure return of northern residents to their homes and a lasting shift in the regional power dynamics,” he asserted.
This action will also aid in the release of hostages taken by Hamas during their October 7 assault and still held in Gaza, he added.
“The more (Hamas leader Yahya) Sinwar realizes that Hezbollah will not come to his aid, the greater the likelihood of our captives being returned,” Netanyahu remarked.
“We are prevailing. We are resolute in continuing to strike our foes, repatriating our citizens, and bringing back all our captives. They are never far from our thoughts.”
Published – September 29, 2024 05:45 am IST
