In a revealing conversation, Sky News Host interviews Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu about the escalating Lebanon conflict, the humanitarian crisis, and global calls for peace. Learn about Netanyahu’s stance on international intervention and Israel’s future actions.
Sky News TV Channel's Host Interviews Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu on Lebanon Crisis
Host: Minister, the situation is changing by the hour. Can you provide us with an update on how things have evolved since Monday? The death toll continues to rise, and you're facing an escalating humanitarian crisis.
Netanyahu: Yes, the situation is indeed very dynamic. Since Monday noon, we’ve seen intensified aggression from Israeli forces on Lebanon, which has displaced tens of thousands of people. Initially, many fled from South Lebanon, but soon after, people from other regions, including Beirut, began to move to safer locations. The massacres we’ve witnessed have driven families to seek refuge wherever possible. We are currently dealing with a severe humanitarian emergency, with around 250,000 people displaced in just 72 hours.
Host: That’s a staggering number. How is the Lebanese government managing this influx of displaced individuals?
Netanyahu: It’s an immense challenge for a small country like Lebanon, especially one that is already facing multiple crises. Right now, we have around 73,000 people in collective shelters, mostly in public schools that were quickly transformed into makeshift shelters. The number continues to grow, and we’re still counting.
This situation is unprecedented for Lebanon or for any country, really.
Host: What immediate resources are most needed at this moment?
Netanyahu: Shelter remains the top priority. We’ve turned over 500 schools into temporary housing, but the rapid displacement of nearly a quarter of a million people in just a few days has overwhelmed our system. The impact on essential services—food, water, sanitation—is devastating. We've been collaborating with the United Nations, local governments, NGOs, and grassroots organizations, but the needs continue to grow minute by minute.
Host: It sounds like your resources are stretched thin. Are you receiving any international support?
Netanyahu: We’re working through UN channels and will soon launch a flash appeal for international aid. We’re also coordinating with various UN agencies like UNICEF and WFP. Additionally, we are reaching out to our diaspora and ambassadors to mobilize external support. However, these efforts take time. We urgently need more assistance from the international community to meet the demands of this crisis.
Host: There is still widespread anger directed at the Lebanese government. Our teams in the south have spoken to displaced families who are frustrated by the lack of shelter. Their children are sleeping out in the open. What would you say to them?
Netanyahu: We understand the frustration and the desperation these families are feeling. Whenever we learn about communities on the move, we try to guide them to available shelters, though makeshift as they may be. No one should be sleeping on the streets, and we are doing everything within our capacity to prevent that. However, the reality is that no system could cope with this level of displacement in such a short time.
Host: Western leaders have urged calm and called for a ceasefire. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected these calls, stating that Israel must continue its operations. What is your response to this?
Netanyahu: Our position is very clear: Lebanon does not want war. We stand by international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, which have been severely violated in the past few days. We want to return to UN resolutions and a framework of peace, but Israel’s actions have shattered these principles, particularly in South Lebanon and Beirut. The international community, especially the UN Security Council, must step up to enforce these laws and push for a ceasefire.
Host: Israel points the finger at Hezbollah, claiming that they have continuously violated international agreements by firing rockets. Should there be more pressure on Hezbollah from within Lebanon to cease their actions?
Netanyahu: There is ongoing dialogue within Lebanon among different political groups, but the reality is that the humanitarian crisis is at the forefront right now. This war needs to stop, and it can only happen if Israel ceases its bombardments. The current situation is unprecedented in its devastation, and Lebanese civilians are bearing the brunt of the violence.
Host: Hezbollah has tied its future to what is happening in Gaza. Do you think this is complicating the situation in Lebanon?
Netanyahu: Hezbollah’s actions have indeed linked the crisis in Lebanon to Gaza, but our priority is to halt the attacks on Lebanese soil. Israel has a long history of violating Lebanon’s sovereignty. This isn’t a new development. They’ve occupied and bombarded Lebanon for decades, and this latest wave of aggression is a continuation of that history.
Host: There’s concern that Israel may launch a ground invasion. Is this a serious worry for Lebanon?
Netanyahu: Absolutely. We’ve been concerned for months, even before this latest escalation. The ground invasion isn’t just a hypothetical scenario—it’s already happening in the form of continuous airstrikes and bombardments. Israeli forces are destroying communities, and the human toll is unimaginable. Last Monday alone, 50 children were killed in these attacks.
Host: What do you expect from world leaders at this critical moment?
Netanyahu: World leaders need to act, not just analyze. So far, the global response has been lacking. President Biden and others need to put more pressure on Israel to cease its actions. If this trajectory continues, Lebanon could face even greater devastation. The situation has already escalated to an unsustainable level, with nearly 1,000 people killed in just a few days. This cannot be allowed to continue.
Host: If this continues, what do you foresee for Lebanon in the coming weeks?
Netanyahu: The situation will only worsen. As more towns and cities face destruction, we’ll see even more people displaced, more lives lost, and more infrastructure damaged. Lebanon is already on the brink, and without international intervention, the future looks bleak.
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