‘Israel is not at war with you:’ Netanyahu appeals to Lebanese, says fight is with Hezbollah, Iran

In an English video message addressed to the Lebanese people, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urges them to “join Israel” in peace despite the “sick aims” of Iran and Hezbollah, which he says are the only obstacles to good relations between the countries.

“I have a message for you, the people of Lebanon. Israel is not at war with you. 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,” Netanyahu says.

رسالتي إلى الشعب اللبناني pic.twitter.com/I2aU7MYV6P

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

This marks the second such appeal by an Israeli leader today, 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 that such an outcome depends on Beirut curbing the influence of Iran and its proxy Hezbollah. Netanyahu’s message carries Arabic subtitles.

“Hezbollah is weaker than ever. Israel is stronger than ever,” Netanyahu continues, 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 adds. “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 says.

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

The appeals by Netanyahu and Herzog signal the increasingly open nature of communication between Israel and Lebanon amid ongoing US-hosted direct talks between the two countries, though a long-term agreement has proved difficult to reach.

Iran continues to insist that a truce between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon be part of any ceasefire deal with the US, while the Lebanese Armed Forces appear unable to keep the terror group in check amid continued fighting with Israel.