Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a rare visit inside southern Lebanon, using the trip to send a blunt message that Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah is still active. In footage and statements released by his office, Netanyahu said, “The war continues,” and framed the current battlefield picture as part of Israel’s wider fight against Iran and its proxy network.

Netanyahu traveled with Defense Minister Israel Katz, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, and Northern Command chief Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo, then received an operational briefing near the border from Galilee Division commander Brig. Gen. Yuval Gaz. He said the security zone had helped block a Hezbollah invasion threat, push back anti-tank fire, and reduce the danger from rockets, while stressing there is still more work ahead.

The visit matters because it shows Israel is not easing up on the Lebanon front even as wider regional diplomacy keeps shifting. Just days ago, Netanyahu said he wanted direct talks with Lebanon focused on disarming Hezbollah, but he also previously ordered the military to expand operations in southern Lebanon to halt continued rocket fire. In practice, Israel is keeping military pressure on Hezbollah while trying to shape the terms of any future political arrangement.