Jerusalem, 25 April (H.S.):

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his first public remarks nearly a day after U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of a three-week extension to the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, affirmed the start of a groundbreaking peace initiative while condemning Hezbollah's disruptive tactics.

On Friday, Netanyahu delivered a video statement just before Shabbat, emphasizing Israel's resolve to reshape the Middle East. I promised you that we would change the face of the Middle East, and that is exactly what we are doing, he declared, highlighting a recent phone conversation with Trump. I had an excellent conversation with President Trump. He is putting very strong pressure on Iran, both economically and militarily. We are operating in full cooperation.

Netanyahu extended this praise to the Lebanese front, framing the truce as a pathway to enduring stability. The same applies in Lebanon. We have begun a process to achieve a historic peace between Israel and Lebanon, and it is clear to us that Hezbollah is trying to sabotage this, he stated firmly on the same date.

He reiterated Israel's operational autonomy, adding, We are maintaining full freedom of action against any threat, including emerging threats. We struck yesterday and we struck today. We are determined to restore security to the residents of the north. These comments underscore ongoing military responses to provocations amid the fragile truce.

Trump's extension, revealed shortly after White House talks between Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors, builds on an initial 10-day agreement repeatedly breached by Hezbollah. The U.S. leader stressed that any comprehensive Iran deal must sever Tehran's funding to the militia and urged Lebanon to repeal laws prohibiting Israeli contacts, affirming Israel's right to self-defense strikes.

Netanyahu's measured optimism reflects a strategic balance: advancing diplomacy under U.S. auspices while safeguarding northern communities from Hezbollah incursions, including recent drone and rocket activities in southern Lebanon.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar