Israel wants ‘fundamental’ change on Lebanon border, will do anything for it: Netanyahu tells US envoy Hochstein

Benjamin Netanyahu has told US special envoy Amos Hochstein that Israel wants to fundamentally change the security situation on the Lebanon border to enable almost 100,000 evacuated residents of the northern part return to their homes safely. “We will not stop until this goal has been achieved, whether diplomatically, which Israel prefers, or in some other way,” Netanyahu said, attacking the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group that has been launching regular attacks on Israel since the October 7 Hamas attack. According to the Times of Israel, Netanyahu told Hochstein that Israel was “more determined, daring and united than ever” in the aftermath of the “murderous” October 7 attack by Hamas. “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with US Special Presidential Envoy Amos Hochstein and made it clear Israel is committed to bringing about a fundamental change on its border with Lebanon, so residents of the north will return to their homes and live in safety and security,” Netanyahu’s handle on X (formerly Twitter) read Friday.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with US Special Presidential Envoy Amos Hochstein and made it clear Israel is committed to bringing about a fundamental change on its border with Lebanon, so residents of the north will return to their homes and live in safety and security. pic.twitter.com/bxZrHQfcsT

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 4, 2024

Hochstein is an important player in the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel since he was instrumental in getting Israel and Lebanon to come to terms with an agreed border in 2022. Tensions between Lebanon and Israel have reached a new high lately after Israel killed several Hezbollah leaders in an airstrike inside the country last Wednesday. Moreover, Israel also eliminated Hamas deputy chief al-Aruri in another airstrike in Beirut. The Lebanese foreign minister earlier had said that Beirut was trying to convince Hezbollah not to push the country in a war with Israel, though he had admitted that Beirut does not have any actual control over the terror organization. On the other hand, Hezbollah chief Nasrallah, in a speech after the assassination of al-Aruri, said the terror group was not afraid of a military confrontation with Israel, though he stopped just short of declaring outright war.