PM Netanyahu Hopes Israel Doesn't Go to War with Hezbollah, But Ready for All Scenarios

JAKARTA - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hopes Israel does not go to war with Hezbollah, although he also said he is ready to face all risks.

In his first interview with Israeli media since the Hamas group's attack on October 7, 2023, PM Netanyahu hopes Israel will not have to wage a large-scale war against Hezbollah.

"But we will also face this challenge. We can fight on several fronts, we are ready for this," he explained on Channel 14's "The Patriots" program, reported by The Times of Israel on June 24.

PM Netanyahu said Israel would enforce any agreement with Hezbollah, to ensure its troops are not on the border.

"This will not be an agreement on paper," he said.

"The agreement will include Hezbollah's physical distance from the border, and we must enforce it. We are committed to returning the northern residents to their homes," explained PM Netanyahu.

He said that Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said there was hope for a diplomatic solution after their trip to Washington last week.

When asked about Israel's ability to withstand attacks on its electricity infrastructure, PM Netanyahu said "there will be no disaster."

"We are trying to protect it, a unique protection that I cannot mention," he said.