The IDF is pre-empting security threats rather than waiting to respond to attacks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said as the IDF said it had struck around 800 Hezbollah targets and called on Lebanese civilians to evacuate homes near the terror group’s missile sites.
"I would like to clarify Israel's policy to whoever does not yet understand,” Netanyahu stated as he held security consultations with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and IDF Chief-of-Staff Herzi Halevi.
“We are not waiting for the threat, we are pre-empting it – everywhere, in every sector, constantly. We are eliminating senior figures, terrorists, and missiles – and our arm is still extended,” he stressed.
“Whoever tries to harm us, we will harm them all the more forcefully,” he underscored in a message he issued.
Tipping the balance of power
Netanyahu spoke as Lebanese health officials reported that at least 274 people, including 21 children and 31 women, were killed and 1,024 wounded in the Israeli strikes in what has been the deadliest day since the cross-border IDF-Hezbollah war began almost a year ago. Lebanese health officails did not designate how many Hezbollah fighters were among the fatalities.
Israel for the last week has engaged in an intensive military campaign to sway the Iranian proxy group Hezbollah to move its forces out of the southern border area and back to the Litani River.
“I promised that we would change the security balance, the balance of forces in the north [by Lebanon] – this is exactly what we are doing. We are destroying thousands of missiles and rockets that are directed at Israel's cities and citizens,” he said.
To Israeli citizens, Netanyahu said, “We face complex times. Citizens of Israel, I ask of you two things: Follow the directives of Home Front Command, they save lives; and stand together with determination, responsibility, and – of course – patience.
“Together we will stand strong, together we will fight and with G-d's help, together we will win,” he exclaimed.
In a separate message to the Lebanese people,” he stated, *Israel's war is not with you. It's with Hezbollah.*
“For too long, Hezbollah has been using you as human shields. It placed rockets in your living rooms and missiles in your garage. Those rockets and missiles are aimed directly at our cities, directly at our citizens,” he exclaimed.
“To defend our people against Hezbollah strikes, we must take out these weapons,” Lebanon said.
“Starting this morning, the IDF has warned you to get out of harm's way. I urge you – to take this warning seriously.* Don't let Hezbollah endanger your lives and the lives of your loved ones. Don't let Hezbollah endanger Lebanon.
“Please, get out of harm's way now. Once our operation is finished, you can come back safely to your homes,” Netanyahu stressed.