Netanyahu Shows Operation Northern Shield Zone to Foreign Ambassadors
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showed to foreign ambassadors the location of Operation Northern Shield along the Lebanese border and urged them to join Israel in demanding sanctions for the Lebanon-based Hezbollah movement, the prime minister's office said Thursday.
On Tuesday, Jonathan Conricus, the IDF's spokesman, announced that the Israeli army was launching an operation at the Israeli-Lebanese border in order to find and destroy Hezbollah's cross-border tunnels, which were built with support and funding from Iran.
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this morning, met with foreign ambassadors in the north, close to the IDF units that are working to expose and neutralize the tunnels. He updated them on Operation Northern Shield and Hezbollah's intentions to use the tunnels against Israel .
.. Netanyahu asked the ambassadors to condemn the violation of Israeli sovereignty and join in the demand to impose increased sanctions on Hezbollah," the statement said.
The Lebanese Armed Forces responded to the Israeli operation by saying that they were ready for any developments on the border with Israel and were making efforts together with UN forces to maintain stability in the area. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has increased security patrols at the Lebanese-Israeli border to avoid potential escalation amid Israel's anti-tunnel efforts.
Israel traditionally views Hezbollah's presence in Lebanon and Syria as a threat to its national security as the movement is backed by Iran, which is Israel's main rival in the region.