Netanyahu Tells UN Forces to Leave Lebanon: Hezbollah’s ‘Human Shields’

In Gallant's own statement regarding his conversation with Austin, he said: “Hezbollah uses peacekeeping operations as a cover for terrorist operations, operating near and firing on UNIFIL positions. “We will continue to take measures to avoid damage to our maintenance bases.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu appears to have decided enough is enough. In a statement on Sunday, he said (via the Government Press Office):

We are entering a year of a brutal war against us, a war of redemption against the Iranian axis of evil that has risen to destroy us.

We are more determined than ever to secure our future. We are more determined than ever to defeat our enemies.

In Lebanon: We removed Nasrallah and his senior officials. Our heroic soldiers are destroying Hezbollah weapons, command centers and terrorist tunnels.

They are fighting mightily to bring northerners safely home. We are not fighting against the Lebanese people, but against Hezbollah, the Iranian terrorist proxy that has occupied Lebanon.

I would like to appeal directly to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The time has come to withdraw UNIFIL from Hezbollah strongholds and combat zones.

The IDF has repeatedly requested this but has been met with repeated refusals, thus providing a human shield to Hezbollah terrorists. Your refusal to evacuate UNIFIL soldiers has made them hostages to Hezbollah. This puts the lives of both theirs and our soldiers at risk.

We deplore the harm caused to UNIFIL soldiers and are doing everything in our power to prevent such harm. However, the easiest and most obvious way to ensure this is to simply withdraw from the danger zone.

[English]

Mr. Secretary-General, please move UNIFIL forces away from danger. It should be done immediately.

[End English]

Unfortunately, some European leaders are applying pressure in the wrong places. Instead of criticizing Israel, they need to direct their criticism at Hezbollah, which is using UNIFIL as a human shield, just as Hamas in Gaza uses UNRWA as a human shield. .

In Gaza: We continue to operate deep within the territory to eliminate Hamas and free hostages. Our brave soldiers are currently in the center of Jabaliya dismantling Hamas strongholds.

The 101 hostages in Gaza have always been our primary concern. We will do everything in our power to bring everyone home, living and dead.

Judea and Samaria: Our military is working tirelessly on the ground and in the air to stop terrorism. We cannot defeat terrorism there because we will not allow it.

In other areas: We will continue to take action to ensure Israel's security.

There are moments in war when one simple rule must be observed. We ask all Ministers to abide by this rule. “Say less, do more.”

With G-d's help we will do this and be successful.

Dear people of Israel, I wish you a happy new year. ”Gumar Chatima Tova” to everyone.

The phrase “”Gumar Chatima Tova” is the traditional Yom Kippur greeting and means “May you have a good year etched in the Book of Life.” prime minister netanyahu linked Please see the Chabad-Lubavitch Movement website for further instructions.