Netanyahu to the Lebanese people: 'We yearn for peace'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Lebanese people in English in a special video, expressing his desire to see Hezbollah disarmed and calling on Lebanese citizens to seize the opportunity for a better life. "I have a message for you, citizens of Lebanon. Israel is not at war with you. We are at war with Hezbollah, which has taken your country hostage, which is acting on Iran's orders, and which is using your territory to launch terror attacks against Israel," Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu continued: "Do you remember Lebanon before Iran and Hezbollah turned it into a nightmare? Do you remember the cafes? The culture? Do you remember the peace? All that is no more, because Hezbollah and Iran want to drag us into war again and again and again. You deserve better. Your children deserve better. You know that Israel will do whatever is necessary to defend our families, our communities. Hezbollah is weaker than it has ever been. Israel is stronger than it has ever been. We have eliminated nearly 10,000 Hezbollah terrorists so far. We are systematically clearing southern Lebanon of these zealots. No matter where they are, we will find them."

He added: "You also know that we yearn for peace with you, the people of Lebanon. Peace in which our two peoples can invest together, build together, and prosper together. The only obstacle to this beautiful vision is Hezbollah. They want war, not peace. They want death, not life. They will sacrifice as many of you as possible to achieve their sick goals. Do not let your future be dictated by medieval theocrats determined to destroy our shared civilization. Israel wants peace with you. Take your future into your own hands. Join Israel. Build security and prosperity for all our children. And once Hezbollah is dismantled, the possibilities will be endless, and the sky is the limit."