Rubio says Israel retains right to respond to Hezbollah during ceasefire
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the implications of ongoing Iran negotiations for Israel and Lebanon on Monday, criticizing Hezbollah’s impact on the Lebanese people while underscoring Israel’s right to self-defense in remarks to the press in India.
Calling Hezbollah a “100% Iranian proxy,” Rubio said peace in Lebanon would remain difficult to achieve as long as an “armed Hezbollah” exists. “They're not just attacking Israel. They are victimizing the people of Lebanon, who are paying a tremendous price because of Hezbollah,” he said.
Rubio also signaled support for Israel’s response to Hezbollah attacks, adding that “if Hezbollah is going to launch missiles at them, Israel has every right to respond to that or to prevent that from happening.”
He added that this right is “being understood” during the current ceasefire with Lebanon “and will be understood beyond that.”
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
