Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the army has been ordered to completely eliminate the infrastructure of the Iran-backed Shiite group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. According to the government press office, the statement was made by the head of government during a meeting with military personnel. Netanyahu said it concerns all ground and underground infrastructure that the group has used to attack Israel, including a network of tunnels. “Such is the order: leave nothing behind,” the prime minister said, addressing the military. He also emphasized that military personnel must respond immediately to any threats to their security. In addition, Netanyahu ruled out the possibility of withdrawing the Israeli army from the border area until Hezbollah is completely disarmed and no longer poses a threat to Israel. What is important to know: the statement came amid ongoing tensions at the Israeli-Lebanese border. Israel views the establishment of a buffer zone as a necessary security measure, while Lebanese authorities consider it illegal. According to the prime minister, before the current conflict began, Hezbollah had approximately 150,000 rockets and shells, but now, in his estimation, the group has about eight percent of that arsenal left. Netanyahu also stated that during the hostilities, Israeli forces have eliminated around 9,000 fighters from the group. For its part, the Lebanese government and Hezbollah refer to the “security zone” established by Israel in the south of the country as an occupation that violates international law. According to Lebanese media, approximately 620 square kilometers of southern Lebanon is currently under Israeli control — about six percent of the country's area. The confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah remains one of the key flashpoints of tension in the Middle East, and the prospects for conflict resolution remain uncertain.