Netanyahu orders expansion of Lebanon security zone as Israel presses multi-arena campaign

Netanyahu described a broad offensive targeting Iran and its allies while outlining efforts to push threats farther from Israel’s borders.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel is expanding its military operations across multiple fronts, including a directive to widen the security zone in Lebanon, as part of an ongoing campaign against Iran and its proxies.

Speaking at IDF Northern Command following a security assessment with senior military officials, Netanyahu described a broad offensive targeting Iran and its allies while outlining efforts to push threats farther from Israel’s borders.

“We are in a multi-arena campaign. We are striking with immense force against Iran and its proxies. We are achieving great accomplishments, achievements that are creating visible cracks in the terrorist regime in Tehran,” Netanyahu said.

He said Israel has shifted its approach to prioritize offensive action, adding that forces are operating deep inside enemy territory. “Instead of them surprising us, we are surprising them. We are the ones taking action, we are the ones attacking, we are the ones taking the initiative, and we are deep within their territory.”

Netanyahu said Israel has established three security zones beyond its borders, specifying areas in Syria from the Hermon ridge to the Yarmouk, in Gaza in more than half of the Gaza Strip’s territory, and in Lebanon, where he said he has ordered an expansion to counter cross-border threats.

“In Lebanon, I have now instructed to further expand the existing security zone in order to finally thwart the threat of invasion and to push the anti-tank missile fire away from our border,” he said.

Netanyahu said Israel had eliminated thousands of terrorists as well as what he described as a major missile threat. “However, Hezbollah still has a residual capability to launch rockets at us,” he said, adding that military officials are working on further measures.

Addressing residents of northern Israel, Netanyahu acknowledged ongoing hardship and said government ministries had been directed to provide assistance. He also expressed condolences to the families of fallen soldiers and praised reservists and their families.

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