Netanyahu claims: Hezbollah has about 10 percent of its rocket arsenal left

(Patria) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has "freedom of action" against Hezbollah, stating that disarmament is key to negotiations with Beirut.

In an address to the senior command of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Netanyahu emphasized "Israel's right to attack Hezbollah targets throughout Lebanon".

He also asserted that military pressure would aid progress in diplomatic negotiations with Beirut.

He highlighted the IDF's "great successes" against Hezbollah, including the "elimination" of their rocket arsenal, as well as the recent re-establishment of a "security zone" in southern Lebanon.

- That zone prevents the possibility of an invasion of northern Israel, and now direct anti-tank fire, while simultaneously allowing us to change the situation in Lebanon - Netanyahu stated.

He emphasized Israel's "freedom of action to prevent immediate and new threats," which, he said, is "part of the agreement reached with the United States and the Lebanese government."

Under the terms of the current ceasefire, extended last week, Israel reserves the right to respond to threats coming from Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group.

Netanyahu estimated that compared to the start of the fighting last month, about 10 percent of Hezbollah's rocket arsenal remains, but warned that "two key threats" still exist: 122-millimeter rockets and drones.

- If Israel manages to neutralize these threats with a combination of operational and technological means... we are essentially on the path to disarming Hezbollah, as this is their main weapon - said Netanyahu.

He added that such a development could help the negotiations mediated by the United States, telling IDF officers that he expects them to "solve these two problems."

- I believe that on the diplomatic front, we will be able to resolve things if we solve this - Netanyahu concluded.