Netanyahu calls for complete disarmament of Hezbollah

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the complete disarmament of the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

Speaking at a press conference with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu said he discussed with the top US diplomat a range of issues, including preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

"We agreed that they should not have nuclear weapons and we also agreed that Iran's aggression in the region should be withdrawn," Netanyahu said.

A fragile ceasefire has been in place in Lebanon since November 27, ending months of mutual bombing between Israel and Hezbollah that escalated into full-scale conflict last September. foreign media, the Telegraph reports.

But despite the ceasefire, Israel has committed over 870 violations, killing and wounding dozens in Lebanon, including women and children.

Under the ceasefire agreement, Israel was supposed to complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon by January 26, but the deadline was extended to February 18 after Israel refused to comply.

"If any other force believes that Israel will allow other hostile forces to use Syria as a base of operations against us, they are gravely mistaken," Netanyahu warned.

He also claimed that the International Criminal Court (ICC) had issued arrest warrants against him and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant based on “lies.”

Separately, Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war in the enclave. /Telegraph/