Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Monday that the IDF has full freedom of action in southern Lebanon to eliminate threats against Israeli forces and residents of northern Israel, stressing that the government’s policy has not changed.

“My directive, and that of the Minister of Defense, to the IDF is clear and has not changed: Our fighters in southern Lebanon have full freedom of action to thwart any direct or developing threat to them or to the residents of the North. The IDF has no restrictions on this matter,” Netanyahu said.

“I stand behind them; the entire nation stands behind them,” he added.

Netanyahu also reaffirmed that Israel will maintain its security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary.

“My stance is firm on our remaining in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as is required in order to protect the residents of the North and all citizens of the state,” he said.

The remarks come as Israeli forces continue operations against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, with the government insisting that the IDF will continue acting to prevent any threat from developing along Israel’s northern border.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)