'Hezbollah Using You as Human Shield': Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's Message For Lebanon

Tel Aviv: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday sent out a message for the people of Lebanon saying that Hezbollah has been using them as "human shield and urged them to get out of "harm's way now." The statement by the Prime Minster comes as Israel on Monday pummeled Lebanon with airstrikes killing 492 people and injuring over 1,600 people.

In the video statement, Netanyahu said, "I have a message for the people of Lebanon: Israel's war is not with you, it's with Hezbollah. For too long, Hezbollah has been using you as human shields. It placed rockets in your living rooms and missiles in your garage. Those rockets and missiles are aimed directly at our cities, directly at our citizens. To defend our people against Hezbollah strikes, we must take out those weapons."

"Don't let Hezbollah endanger your lives and the lives of your loved ones. Don't let Hezbollah endanger Lebanon. Please, get out of harm's way now. Once our operation is finished, you can come back safely to your homes," he added.

On the same day, the Prime Minister warned Iranian-backed Hezbollah, saying, "If Hezbollah has not understood the message, I promise you, it will understand the message."

We'll do Whatever...': Israel

Israel's military spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said the army will do “whatever is necessary” to push Hezbollah from Lebanon's border with Israel. He claimed that Monday's widespread airstrikes had inflicted heavy damage on Hezbollah. "We are not looking for wars. We are looking to take down the threats. We will do whatever is necessary to do to achieve this mission. We hope to do it as shortly as we can," he said.

Iran-backed terrorist group Hamas' armed wing, the Qassam Brigades in a statement on Telegram said that its field commander Hussein Mahmoud al-Nader in Southern Lebanon was killed in an Israeli strike in Lebanon.

In retaliation to the recent deadly attack in Lebanon on Monday, the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah fired nearly 200 rockets into northern Israel.

(Inputs from AP)