Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar revealed Wednesday that Hezbollah has launched more than 7,000 rockets, missiles, and drones from Lebanon toward Israel since March, as he defended Israel’s military actions during remarks to governors and mayors from around the world.

Speaking about ongoing U.S.-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon, Sa’ar said the disputes between Jerusalem and Beirut have been narrowed to a handful of border issues that could be resolved through negotiations. He argued that both countries share a common enemy in the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorist organization.

“We have no real dispute with the Lebanese government beyond several border points that can be solved through a short negotiation,” Sa’ar said. “Israel and Lebanon share a common enemy — Hezbollah, which threatens Lebanon’s future, sovereignty, and independence, and also Israel’s security.”

Sa’ar accused Hezbollah of initiating the current conflict under Iranian direction, saying the group launched attacks on March 2 following instructions from Tehran. He compared the move to Hezbollah’s decision to join the war against Israel on October 8, 2023, one day after Hamas’s attack on southern Israel.

“Very few in the international media mention that Hezbollah started this war,” Sa’ar said. “Since March alone, Hezbollah has launched more than 7,000 rockets, missiles, and drones from Lebanese territory into Israel.”

He urged foreign leaders to consider how they would respond if their own cities were subjected to similar attacks.

“Imagine your cities being attacked this way,” he said. “What country could accept that and not act to restore security for its citizens?”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)