Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has outlined three pivotal conditions for a settlement with Hezbollah, intensifying regional tensions.
Addressing the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday, Netanyahu demanded Hezbollah’s retreat from Israel’s northern border. He also insisted on cutting the group’s Syrian supply routes and granting Israel operational freedom in southern Lebanon.
Netanyahu underscored that Israel’s confrontations span “seven fronts,” including Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, all linked, he claimed, to Tehran’s ambitions.
Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein is mediating between Beirut and Tel Aviv, seeking a cease-fire. Hochstein will meet Lebanese officials Tuesday, followed by Israeli leaders on Wednesday. Lebanon’s Speaker Nabih Berri dismissed Israeli terms, calling them an infringement on sovereignty.
In Lebanon, recent Israeli airstrikes have escalated conflicts, with over 3,500 casualties reported since October. Simultaneously, the Gaza conflict rages, leaving tens of thousands dead and displacing millions.
Netanyahu highlighted alleged progress against Hamas in Gaza but acknowledged the group’s resilience. He faced disruptions during his address, with opposition members removed for protests.
Accusations of leaks from Netanyahu’s office, potentially aiding adversaries, have sparked investigations. Eli Feldstein, a former aide, stands accused of sharing classified materials, drawing media scrutiny.
As mediation efforts falter, tensions across multiple fronts persist, posing grave risks for regional stability.
