Netanyahu says war with Hezbollah and allies has 'redrawn' Middle East map

Before leaving for Washington to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel's wars with Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and its confrontations with Iran had "redrawn the map" in the Middle East.

"But I believe that working closely with President Trump we can redraw it even further, and for the better," he said.

Israeli troops are still present in parts of southern Lebanon, where under the ceasefire agreement they are supposed to gradually withdraw while Hezbollah’s militants withdraw north of the Litani River as Lebanese army soldiers disperse. Residents of those villages, many waving Hezbollah flags, have been protesting in those villages and have scuffled with Israeli troops.

Despite its military capabilities largely destroyed in the war, Israel says it needs to remain in the country longer to take out Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, including its tunnel network.