📰 5 sources 10 articles · 18 Oct 2026, 12:25 → 26 days ago

Netanyahu stresses distrust of Lebanese government and goal of eliminating Hezbollah

In a radio interview, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he does not trust the Lebanese government on disarming Hezbollah and that the ultimate goal is to eliminate Hezbollah. His remarks coincided with Israeli shelling and explosions in southern Lebanon and Lebanese positions rejecting dual weapons, followed by later remarks about continuing to target the capabilities of Hamas and Hezbollah.

📍 Where things stand: These developments come amid continued Israeli shelling in southern Lebanon and Netanyahu's statements that Israel will continue acting against Hezbollah and Hamas, alongside Lebanese positions rejecting dual weapons.

⏱️ Timeline

18 Oct 2026, 12:25 In a radio interview, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he does not trust the Lebanese government on the issue of disarming Hezbollah.
18 Oct 2026, 12:27 Netanyahu declared that the ultimate goal is to eliminate Hezbollah.
18 Oct 2026, 12:39 Netanyahu affirmed that the Israeli army will continue to remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon unless Hezbollah is disarmed and its military capabilities are dismantled, adding that Israel will carry out operations whenever necessary.
18 Oct 2026, 13:16 Southern Lebanon witnessed Israeli shelling and explosions, including the bombing of Al-Mabarrat School in Khiam overnight, along with continued artillery shelling on the towns of Al-Mansouri, Zibqin, Braasheet, Haddatha and Haris. In this context, Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji stressed that there is no sovereignty with dual weapons.
18 Oct 2026, 18:57 Netanyahu said Israel will continue working to eliminate the capabilities of Hamas and Hezbollah and prevent them from rebuilding their strength.
18 Oct 2026, 22:03 Maysam Rizk commented on Netanyahu's statement that he does not trust the Lebanese government, saying his position came after "all the gifts and offerings" that the Lebanese authority had given to the enemy, as she put it.

Timeline written by AI from the sources below; updated as new reports arrive.

How the sources covered it

Some coverage focused on Netanyahu's statements about distrust and disarming Hezbollah, while Annahar led with Israeli shelling and Lebanese reactions, and Yasour focused on a critical comment on those statements.

Lebanon Debate It focused on Netanyahu's statements in the radio interview, especially his distrust of the Lebanese government and the ultimate goal of eliminating Hezbollah, then on his remarks about Hamas and Hezbollah.
MTV Lebanon It highlighted Netanyahu's statements that the Israeli army will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed and its capabilities dismantled, in addition to the distrust and the ultimate goal.
annahar.com It presented the report from southern Lebanon, leading with Israeli shelling and explosions including Al-Mabarrat School in Khiam, and cited Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji's position on dual weapons alongside Netanyahu's statements.
صوت بيروت إنترناشونال It limited itself to reporting Netanyahu's statement that he does not trust the Lebanese government on the Hezbollah disarmament file.
ياصور It focused on Maysam Rizk's comment on Netanyahu's statement, which she linked to the "gifts and offerings" she said the Lebanese authority had given to the enemy.