Netanyahu: Israel inflicted strikes on Hezbollah 'it could not imagine'

Israel has inflicted a series of harsh blows on the Lebanese terror organization that the group previously "could not imagine," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized during his Sunday video address, adding that Israel would continue to take whatever action necessary to restore its security. 

The video address came amid the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah after Israel struck Beirut on Friday, killing Radwan Force chief Ibrahim Aqil. Hezbollah, in response, launched multiple rocket and drone attacks toward Israel throughout Sunday morning, to which Israel responded with airstrikes. 

"In the last few days, we inflicted on Hezbollah a sequence of blows that they could not imagine. If Hezbollah did not understand the message, I promise you - it will understand the message," Netanyahu said.

Regarding Hezbollah's multiple rocket barrage attacks aimed at northern Israel and the IDF strikes that came in response, Netanyahu affirmed the country's goal to restore safety to the North.

"We are determined to return our residents in the North safely to their homes," he added. "No country can accept the wanton rocketing of its cities. We can't accept it either."

"We will take whatever action is necessary to restore security and to bring our people safely back to their homes," Netanyahu concluded. 

Gallant committed to restoring the North 

Shortly before Netanyahu's address, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visited the Israel Air Force's control and attack centers and also expressed his confidence in Israel's ability to defend against Hezbollah, Israeli media reported.

According to reports, Gallant said that he felt as though "Hezbollah began to sense some of our [Israel's] capabilities."

"Our moves will continue until the goal is achieved. We will use everything necessary to fulfill the mission," he reportedly added.  

In addition, Gallant reportedly conducted multiple phone calls with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin over Saturday and Sunday, during which they discussed the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, Israel's Government Press Office said on Sunday morning.

During their phone calls, Austin was briefed on the operation conducted by the IDF that eliminated Hezbollah’s  Aqil, the GPA noted. Additionally, the two discussed Israel's defensive position and operations against Hezbollah's multiple rocket attacks.

Gallant reportedly also emphasized in the call that Israel's goal was to ensure that the country's northern communities would be able to return to their homes.

Foreign Affairs Minister Israel Katz, while speaking to foreign ministers on Sunday, was quoted by Israeli media as saying, "Israel will do everything necessary to protect its citizens from the murderous terrorist organization Hezbollah - a terrorist organization that has been attacking Israel non-stop since October 8, which has killed dozens of Israelis, including 12 children during a soccer game and resulted in the displacement of approximately 70,000 Israelis from their homes." 

"Anyone who is interested in bringing stability to the region and de-escalation in the North should do one thing: ensure the immediate implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 and the withdrawal of Hezbollah forces past the Litani. If the world does not withdraw Hezbollah north of the Litani, in accordance with Resolution 1701 - Israel will do so," Katz concluded.