Netanyahu Highlights Israel’s Strength Against Hezbollah at Lebanon War Memorial Ceremony
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a strong address at the official memorial ceremony on Mount Herzl for the fallen of the Second Lebanon War. He expressed deep sympathy to the families of the fallen and praised the ongoing efforts of Israeli soldiers in the current conflict with Hezbollah. Netanyahu recalled a recent emotional moment when he saw the father of Lt. Col. Roi Klein, a hero of the Second Lebanon War, pass his son’s beret to his grandson, now a Golani Brigade fighter, symbolizing continuity in Israel’s military resolve.
Netanyahu emphasized Lebanon’s continued role as a battleground due to Hezbollah’s transformation of large parts of the country into terror bases under Iranian influence. He stated that Israel has demonstrated two key messages to Hezbollah: first, that Israel will not be held hostage by Iran’s proxy forces; second, that Israel is far stronger than Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah once claimed, describing Israel as "strong as steel webs" rather than "fragile spider webs."
The Prime Minister revealed that he and Defense Minister Israel Katz recently visited southern Lebanon at the exact location where Nasrallah delivered his defiant speech after Israel’s withdrawal in 2000. Netanyahu remarked, "He who spoke of spider webs has himself crumbled like spider webs." He also cited recent military achievements, including the killing of approximately 9,000 militants and the destruction of underground Hezbollah fortifications near the border.
Netanyahu praised the infantry, engineering, artillery, air force, and navy units for their decisive victories in direct combat, quoting reserve Brig. Gen. Yoni Shtavon’s reflections on the pride and strength felt despite the hardships. He stressed that the public debate following the Second Lebanon War led to a firm conclusion that future conflicts must yield resounding success.
Highlighting the current war’s progress, Netanyahu said Israel has shattered the "barrier of fear," launched surprise attacks, and prevented a large-scale Hezbollah incursion into northern Israel. He detailed the elimination of Hezbollah’s leadership in Beirut’s Dahieh neighborhood and the destruction of the majority of the 150,000 missiles and rockets aimed at Israel. The fighting continues, with recent reports of a reservist seriously wounded in southern Lebanon. Netanyahu concluded by honoring the path paved by previous soldiers and affirming Israel’s ongoing strength and determination.
