Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Saturday that Israel had “settled the score” with the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike in Beirut.
“We have avenged the one responsible for the deaths of countless Israelis and many others, including hundreds of Americans and dozens of French nationals,” Netanyahu said in his first public statement following Nasrallah’s death on Friday.
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He was referencing the 1983 bombings in Beirut that claimed the lives of 63 people at the U.S. embassy, along with 241 U.S. marines and 58 French paratroopers at their barracks.
Netanyahu added that as long as the “terrorist” Nasrallah was alive, he would have quickly rebuilt the capabilities that Israel had weakened in recent operations against Hezbollah.
“So, I gave the order — and Nasrallah is no longer with us.”
The Israeli Prime Minister stated that his country was approaching “what seems to be a historic turning point” in its battle against its “enemies.”
Facing increasing criticism both domestically and internationally over his war policy after nearly a year of conflict in the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu emphasized that the killing of the Hezbollah leader was crucial to Israel’s objectives.
“Nasrallah’s elimination is a necessary step toward achieving our goals: ensuring the safe return of northern residents to their homes and bringing about a long-term shift in the balance of power in the region,” he said.
He added that this move would aid in securing the release of hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attack, who remain captive in Gaza.
“The more (Hamas leader Yahya) Sinwar realizes that Hezbollah will no longer support him, the greater our chances of bringing back our captives,” Netanyahu said.
“We are winning. We are determined to keep striking our enemies, returning our residents to their homes, and recovering all our hostages. We never forget them, not even for a moment.”
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