Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Israel has successfully targeted and eliminated the would-be successors to Hassan Nasrallah, the former leader of Hezbollah who was killed in a strike on Beirut less than two weeks ago.

The Israel-Hezbollah conflict has taken a dramatic turn with this latest claim, potentially altering the balance of power in the region. Netanyahu’s statement comes as tensions continue to rise along the Israel-Lebanon border, with both sides exchanging fire in recent weeks.

In a direct address to the people of Lebanon, Netanyahu urged them to “free yourselves from Hezbollah,” asserting that Israel has “a right to defend itself” and has significantly “degraded Hezbollah’s capabilities.”

“We took out thousands of terrorists, including Nasrallah himself, and Nasrallah’s replacement, and the replacement of his replacement,” Netanyahu stated, without naming specific individuals. This bold claim in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict comes after Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant previously suggested that Hashem Safieddine, Nasrallah’s cousin and potential successor, was “probably” killed in a strike last week.

Netanyahu stressed the weakened state of Hezbollah, claiming it is “weaker than it’s been for many, many years.” He presented the Lebanese people with what he described as a significant choice: to reclaim their country and “return it to a path of peace and prosperity” or risk being drawn into a wider conflict.

The Israeli leader warned that if action is not taken, “Hezbollah will continue to try to fight Israel from densely populated areas at your expense. It doesn’t care if Israel is dragged into a wider war.”

These statements come amid escalating tensions in the region, with Israel continuing its operations against Hezbollah in the wake of Nasrallah’s reported death. The situation remains fluid, and international observers are closely monitoring developments in Lebanon and Israel.

As of now, there has been no independent confirmation of Netanyahu’s claims regarding the elimination of Hezbollah’s leadership succession. The impact of these reported strikes on the organisation’s structure and future operations remains to be seen.

The international community has expressed growing concern over the escalating Israel-Hezbollah conflict. The United Nations Security Council has called for an emergency meeting to discuss the situation and potential measures to de-escalate tensions.

The United States, a key ally of Israel, has reiterated its support for Israel’s right to self-defence while urging restraint to avoid further civilian casualties. Meanwhile, Iran, a long-time supporter of Hezbollah, has condemned Israel’s actions and warned of potential retaliation.

The current escalation is part of a long-standing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which dates back to the 1980s. The two sides have engaged in multiple wars and skirmishes over the years, with the 2006 Lebanon War being one of the most significant confrontations.

As the Israel-Hezbollah conflict intensifies, there are growing concerns about the humanitarian impact on civilians in both Lebanon and Israel. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported an increase in displaced persons and a strain on local resources.