Netanyahu says capturing Beaufort a 'dramatic shift' in Lebanon offensive
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said he ordered the Israeli army to deepen its deployment in Hezbollah strongholds north of the Litani River, noting that "soon Hezbollah will no longer have the ability to threaten northern Israel."
Netanyahu also declared that Israeli forces' capture of Beaufort castle in southern Lebanon marked a "dramatic shift" in Israel's campaign against Hezbollah.
"Today, we have returned to Beaufort in a different way. We have returned united, determined, and stronger than ever," Netanyahu said in a video statement.
"The capture of Beaufort is a dramatic stage and a dramatic shift in the policy we are leading. We have broken the barrier of fear. We are taking the initiative, we are operating on all fronts –- in Syria, in Gaza, in Lebanon."
Netanyahu added that Israel has killed 3,000 Hezbollah militants since the start of the war. Hezbollah has not disclosed the number of their casualties.
Source: Agence France Presse, Naharnet, Associated Press
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