Israeli PM says ordered military to ‘further expand’ security zone in Lebanon

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he had ordered the military to “further expand” a security zone in Lebanon as Israel continues its campaign in the neighbouring country.

“In Lebanon, I have just ordered the military to further expand the existing security zone,” Netanyahu said in a video statement.

“This is intended to definitively neutralise the threat of invasion (by Hezbollah fighters) and to keep anti-tank missile fire away from the border.”

READ MORE: Israeli strikes kill five in Lebanon as Hezbollah claims new attacks

Netanyahu, during a visit to the northern command, said that Hezbollah still retained “residual capabilities” to fire rockets at Israel, but the group had been severely hit by Israeli forces.

“Iran is no longer the same Iran, Hezbollah is no longer the same Hezbollah, and Hamas is no longer the same Hamas,” he said.

“These are no longer terrorist armies threatening our existence – they are defeated enemies, fighting for their own survival.”

“We are determined, we are fighting, and with God’s help – we are winning,” Netanyahu said.