Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday appealed directly to the Lebanese people to reject Hezbollah and Iran’s influence, saying Israel was not at war with Lebanon and expressing hope for future peace and cooperation between the two countries once the Iran-backed group is dismantled.

In a video message addressed to Lebanese citizens, Netanyahu argued that Hezbollah had turned Lebanon into a battleground in service of Tehran’s regional agenda and accused the group of holding the country hostage.

“I have a message for you, the people of Lebanon,” Netanyahu said. “Israel is not at war with you. We're at war with Hezbollah, that has taken your country hostage, that does Iran's bidding, that uses your territory to launch terrorist attacks against Israel.”

The Israeli leader contrasted Lebanon’s past with its current situation, blaming Hezbollah and Iran for dragging the country into repeated conflicts.

“Do you remember what Lebanon was like before Iran and Hezbollah turned it into a nightmare?” he said. “Remember the cafés? Remember the culture? Remember the calm? All that's gone because Hezbollah and Iran want to drag us into war over and over and over again.”

Netanyahu said Lebanese citizens deserved a better future and stressed that Israel would continue taking whatever measures it deemed necessary to protect its population.

“You deserve better. Your children deserve better,” he said. “You know by now that Israel will do whatever it takes to protect our families, our communities.”

He also claimed that Hezbollah had suffered major losses during the conflict, saying Israeli forces had significantly weakened the group.

“Hezbollah is weaker than ever. Israel is stronger than ever,” Netanyahu said. “We've taken out nearly 10,000 Hezbollah terrorists so far. We're systematically clearing out South Lebanon of these fanatics. No matter where they are, we'll find them.”

Netanyahu reiterated that Israel seeks peace with Lebanon and envisioned a future of cooperation between the two countries.

“You also know we yearn for peace with you, with Lebanon,” he said. “A peace where our two peoples can invest together, build together, thrive together.”

He described Hezbollah as the sole obstacle to such a future, accusing the group of prioritizing conflict over stability.

“The only impediment, the only obstacle to this beautiful vision is Hezbollah,” Netanyahu said. “They want war, not peace. They want death, not life. They will sacrifice as many of you as possible to achieve their sick aims.”

The Israeli premier urged Lebanese citizens not to allow their future to be shaped by what he described as extremist forces aligned with Iran.

“Don't let your future be dictated by medieval theocrats hellbent on destroying our common civilization,” he said.

Concluding his remarks, Netanyahu called on the Lebanese people to embrace what he described as an opportunity for peace and prosperity.

“Israel wants peace with you,” he said. “Seize your future. Join Israel. Build safety and prosperity for all of our children. And once Hezbollah is dismantled, the possibilities are endless. And they are sky high.”