Netanyahu says Lebanon could face destruction "like Gaza"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Lebanon could face destruction on the same scale as Gaza if it "continues down its current path".

In a stern video message addressed to Lebanese citizens on Tuesday, Netanyahu claimed that Israel has successfully eliminated not only slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah but also his potential successors, stating that "we have killed the replacement of his replacement". 

He also asserted that Hezbollah is "weaker now than it has been in many years".

Netanyahu's remarks came as tensions between Israel and Lebanon continue to escalate.

Earlier, the Israeli army had made the same claims that it had killed likely Hezbollah chief Hashem Safieddine in an airstrike on Beirut.

However, Hezbollah has yet to respond to Netanyahu and his army's latest claims.

In his address, Netanyahu urged Lebanese citizens to take action to prevent their country from falling into a prolonged and devastating war.

"You have an opportunity to save Lebanon before it falls into the abyss of a long war that will lead to destruction and suffering like we see in Gaza," he said. 

The warning came as Gaza marks one year of relentless Israeli bombardment, resulting in at least 41,965 deaths and the displacement of nearly all 2.3 million residents.

The conflict has also taken a dire toll on Lebanon as almost 2,119 people have been killed and 10,019 have been injured since October 8, 2023.