Netanyahu Urges Lebanese People to Reject Hezbollah, Declares Israel Not at War with Lebanon
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video message on June 10, 2026, telling the Lebanese people that Israel is at war with Hezbollah, not Lebanon, and urging them to reject the Iran-backed group. Netanyahu stated that Hezbollah is the sole obstacle to peace and prosperity between the two nations, while claiming Israel has eliminated nearly 10,000 Hezbollah operatives. The message came as Israel continued military strikes in southern Lebanon and represents part of broader diplomatic appeals by Israeli leadership to the Lebanese population.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released an English-language video message with Arabic subtitles on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, directly addressing the Lebanese people. In the message, Netanyahu distinguished between Israel's conflict with Hezbollah and its relationship with Lebanon, arguing that the Iran-backed militant group has "taken your country hostage" and uses Lebanese territory to launch attacks against Israel. He claimed that Israel has eliminated nearly 10,000 Hezbollah operatives and is "systematically clearing out South Lebanon," while characterizing Hezbollah as "weaker than ever" and Israel as "stronger than ever." Netanyahu appealed to Lebanese citizens to remember Lebanon's pre-Hezbollah era and offered a vision of future cooperation and prosperity if Hezbollah is dismantled. The message was part of a coordinated diplomatic effort, as President Isaac Herzog also released an Arabic-language appeal to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun the same day, emphasizing that peace depends on Lebanon's freedom from Hezbollah and Iranian influence. The appeals occurred amid ongoing US-hosted direct talks between Israel and Lebanon, though long-term agreements have remained elusive.
What's missing
The sources do not provide independent verification of the claim that Israel has eliminated "nearly 10,000 Hezbollah terrorists," nor do they include Hezbollah's response or Lebanese civilian casualty figures beyond the Times of Israel's mention of at least 13 deaths from strikes on that day.
How coverage differed
The Jerusalem Post (right-leaning) and Times of Israel (center) present largely similar factual coverage of Netanyahu's message, though the Times of Israel provides additional context by including President Herzog's parallel appeal and noting the broader diplomatic context of US-hosted talks and previous ceasefire violations, offering a more comprehensive picture of the situation.
What different sources said
- The Jerusalem PostRight
WATCH: Israel at war with Hezbollah, not Lebanon, Netanyahu says in message to Lebanese people
- Times of IsraelCenter
Netanyahu urges Lebanese people to ‘join Israel’ in peace, reject Hezbollah and Iran
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