Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday urged the Lebanese people to “join Israel” in peace and reject Iran and Hezbollah, declaring that “Israel is not at war with you,” but is only looking to oust the Iran-backed terror group and its “sick aims” with its military operations in the country.

The message came as Israel continued its strikes in southern Lebanon, which Lebanese security sources said killed at least 13 people throughout the day. The IDF said the strikes targeted Hezbollah operatives, as well as infrastructure belonging to the terror group, including a cache of weapons.

“I have a message for you, the people of Lebanon. Israel is not at war with you,” Netanyahu said in his English video message, which had Arabic subtitles.

“We’re at war with Hezbollah, that has taken your country hostage, that does Iran’s bidding, that uses your territory to launch terrorist attacks against Israel,” he said.

“Hezbollah is weaker than ever. Israel is stronger than ever,” Netanyahu continued, saying the IDF has eliminated nearly 10,000 Hezbollah terrorists and is “systematically clearing out South Lebanon of these fanatics.”

Along with Israel’s military actions against the Lebanese terror group, “we yearn for peace with you, with Lebanon,” the premier added. “A peace where our two peoples can invest together, build together, thrive together. The only impediment, the only obstacle to this beautiful vision is Hezbollah,” he said.

رسالتي إلى الشعب اللبناني pic.twitter.com/I2aU7MYV6P — Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) June 10, 2026

رسالتي إلى الشعب اللبناني pic.twitter.com/I2aU7MYV6P

— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) June 10, 2026

“They will sacrifice as many of you as possible to achieve their sick aims,” he warned, adding, “seize your future. Join Israel… once Hezbollah is dismantled, the possibilities are endless. And they are sky high.”

The statement marked the second such appeal by an Israeli leader on Wednesday, after President Isaac Herzog sent an Arabic-language message to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, telling his counterpart that he hopes for “peace” between their countries, but stressing that such an outcome depends on Beirut curbing the influence of Iran and its proxy Hezbollah.

“I extend a hand of peace to the president of Lebanon and to the Lebanese people. But it is your responsibility to secure Lebanon’s freedom from the dictates of Hezbollah, Iran, and terrorist organizations, so that it may preserve its status as a sovereign and independent state,” Herzog said in a video released by his office, during a tour of Israel’s northern border.

“My dream is to travel to Beirut, and this dream is still alive, but only if Lebanon’s future is determined in Beirut, and not in Tehran,” Herzog added.

Switching to English, Herzog........

© The Times of Israel