Netanyahu Declares Hezbollah's Rocket Arsenal Crushed Down To Just 8%

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a forceful address from southern Lebanon, declaring that Hezbollah's once-formidable arsenal has been reduced to a fraction of its former strength after sustained Israeli military pressure. Speaking directly to the scale of the transformation, Netanyahu noted that Hezbollah, once described as the strongest pillar of Iran's regional axis with an estimated 150,000 rockets and missiles aimed at Israel, now retains only about 8 percent of that stockpile. The prime minister framed the dramatic reduction as proof that Israel's strategy of sustained pressure against Iran's proxy network is achieving its intended results on the ground.

Netanyahu also issued a direct order to Israeli forces operating in the region, instructing troops to act immediately and without hesitation whenever a threat to their security or to fellow soldiers is identified, rather than waiting for further authorization. The remarks reflect a posture of continued vigilance even as Hezbollah's capabilities have diminished, with the prime minister making clear that Israel does not intend to ease its guard along the northern border. His message underscored a broader strategic principle that has defined much of Israel's recent military doctrine: decisive, immediate action takes priority over caution when soldiers' lives are at stake.

Turning to the political future of the region, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel and Lebanon mutually recognize each other as sovereign states, and delivered a pointed message aimed squarely at Tehran and its proxies, declaring flatly that they have no place in Lebanon's future. He argued that the country's path forward should be determined exclusively by Lebanon and Israel, free from the influence of Iran or its regional networks, and stated that Israel's ultimate objective is lasting security and prosperity for communities on both sides of the border. The remarks signal continued Israeli resolve to reshape the strategic landscape in southern Lebanon following years of conflict with Iran-backed forces.