Netanyahu Visits Lebanon, Declares Hezbollah Invasion Threat "Eliminated"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited troops in southern Lebanon on Sunday. He declared that Israeli forces have "eliminated" the threat of an invasion by the militant group Hezbollah. His statement came during a tour of the "security zone," an area in southern Lebanon controlled by Israel. In a video from his office, Netanyahu, wearing a flak jacket, said, "The war continues, including within the security zone in Lebanon." He was surrounded by masked Israeli soldiers. The visit occurs just two days before a scheduled meeting in Washington. Officials from Lebanon, Israel, and the United States are set to hold direct talks. The talks aim to address ongoing tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border. Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, is a powerful Iranian-backed group and a long-time enemy of Israel.