Israel has destroyed 'large part' of Hezbollah missile arsenal, says Netanyahu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday said the Israeli military had succeeded in destroying much of Hezbollah’s arsenal and altered the course of the war against the Iran-backed group.

“We destroyed a large part of the array of missiles and rockets that Hezbollah built over the years,” said Netanyahu in a televised address, adding: “We have changed the course of the war and the balance of the war.”

Netanyahu said Israel was fighting a war on several fronts against groups backed by arch-foe Iran.

“Is Iran imposing an arms embargo on Hezbollah, on the Huthis, on Hamas and on its other proxies? Of course not,” he said. All three groups are backed by Tehran and form part of its “axis of resistance” against Israel.

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“This axis of terror stands together. But countries who supposedly oppose this terror axis call for an arms embargo on Israel. What a disgrace!”

Netanyahu said Israel would win even without their support. “But their shame will continue long after the war is won,” he said.

“Rest assured, Israel will fight until the battle is won - for our sake and for the sake of peace and security in the world.”

Netanyahu also slammed French President Emmanuel Macron for calling for a halt to arms supplies to Israel, which is fighting wars in Gaza and Lebanon.

“As Israel fights the forces of barbarism led by Iran, all civilised countries should be standing firmly by Israel’s side. Yet, President Macron and other Western leaders are now calling for arms embargoes against Israel. Shame on them,” Netanyahu said in a statement issued by his office.

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Israel expanded its bombardment in Lebanon on Saturday, hitting Beirut’s southern suburbs with a dozen airstrikes and striking a Palestinian refugee camp deep in the north for the first time as it targeted both Hezbollah and Hamas fighters.

Thousands of people in Lebanon, including Palestinian refugees, continued to flee the widening conflict in the region, while rallies were held around the world marking the approaching anniversary of the start of the war in Gaza.

With inputs from agencies.