LIVE 📰 4 sources 8 articles · 18 Oct 2026, 12:25 → 1 hour ago

Netanyahu: No trust in Lebanese government on disarming Hezbollah; goal is to eliminate it

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 the group. He added that the Israeli army will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon unless Hezbollah is disarmed and its military capabilities dismantled, amid reports of Israeli shelling and explosions in southern Lebanon and Lebanese positions on Hezbollah's weapons.

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Updates automatically · Reports: 8

📍 Israeli statements continue to condition the army's stay in southern Lebanon on Hezbollah's disarmament, amid reports of shelling and explosions in the area and Lebanese positions rejecting dual weapons.

📍 Where things stand: Israeli statements continue to condition the army's stay in southern Lebanon on Hezbollah's disarmament, amid reports of shelling and explosions in the area and 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 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the ultimate goal is to eliminate Hezbollah.
18 Oct 2026, 12:39 Netanyahu said the Israeli army will continue to remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon unless Hezbollah is disarmed and its military capabilities dismantled, and that Israel will carry out operations whenever needed.
18 Oct 2026, 13:16 Southern Lebanon witnessed Israeli shelling and explosions, including the bombing of Al-Mabarrat School in Khiam at night, with artillery shelling continuing on the towns of Mansouri, Zebqin, Braasheet, Haddatha and Haris.
18 Oct 2026, 13:16 Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji stressed that there is no sovereignty with dual weapons.

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 trust, disarmament and the goal of eliminating Hezbollah, while another report linked these statements to Israeli shelling in southern Lebanon and Lebanese positions on Hezbollah's weapons.

Lebanon Debate Focused on Netanyahu's statements about not trusting the Lebanese government and the ultimate goal of eliminating Hezbollah, noting that this coincided with Israeli follow-up on the Hezbollah weapons file and its link to security arrangements in Lebanon.
MTV Lebanon Highlighted Netanyahu's addition that the Israeli army will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon unless Hezbollah is disarmed and its capabilities dismantled, and that Israel will carry out operations when needed.
صوت بيروت إنترناشونال Limited itself to reporting Netanyahu's statement that he does not trust the Lebanese government on disarming Hezbollah, placing it in the context of the continuing dispute over Hezbollah's weapons file.
annahhar.com Combined the Israeli threat with field escalation, opening with shelling and explosions in southern Lebanon including Al-Mabarrat School in Khiam, and included positions from Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji and MP Hassan Fadlallah.