Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that his country had successfully eliminated Hezbollah's projected new leader, Hashem Safieddine, in an airstrike in Beirut last Thursday. Netanyahu further claimed that Israel had also eliminated Safieddine’s replacement, though he did not disclose who this individual was.

In an English-language video, Netanyahu outlined the impact of Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Hezbollah, stating that the group's capabilities have been severely weakened.

“We took out thousands of terrorists, including [longtime Hezbollah leader Hassan] Nasrallah himself, and Nasrallah’s replacement, and the replacement of his replacement,” Netanyahu declared, describing Hezbollah as being “weaker than it has been for many many years.”

Netanyahu urged the Lebanese people to seize this moment to break free from Hezbollah’s influence and restore Lebanon’s sovereignty.

“Now you, the Lebanese people, you stand at a significant crossroads. It is your choice,” he said, emphasizing that the opportunity to reclaim peace and prosperity was within their grasp.

The Israeli leader warned that if Hezbollah continues to operate from densely populated civilian areas, it would be at the expense of the Lebanese people.

“Hezbollah will continue to try to fight Israel from densely populated areas at your expense,” he cautioned, stressing that the Lebanese deserve to live in a country free from the threat of war.

"You deserve to restore Lebanon to its days of tranquility; you deserve a Lebanon that is different.”

“Free your country from Hezbollah so that this war can end, so that your country can prosper again, so that future generations of Lebanese and Israeli children will know neither war nor bloodshed, but will finally live together in peace,” Netanyahu said in an address to the Lebanese.