Israeli President Isaac Herzog, in an interview on CNN’s One World news program, called upon world leaders attending the UN General Assembly to prioritize the issue of hostages held by terrorist groups and to address ongoing attacks from Israel’s northern border. As Israel continues to target Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure in Lebanon, Herzog emphasized the importance of ending the threat posed by Hezbollah, which has launched missiles at Israeli towns and cities.
“We are attacking their capabilities of huge missiles and specific missile launchers aimed at our families, at our homes,” President Herzog stated, referencing Hezbollah’s strikes on Israeli civilians. He stressed that world leaders must focus on bringing calm to Israel’s northern border and securing a hostage deal. “This should be the most important priority of all the world leaders who are meeting right now at the UN General Assembly.”
Herzog urged the global community to “change the equation” by establishing a new framework that includes the release of hostages and the stabilization of Israel’s border with Lebanon. He called for adherence to international resolutions that Hezbollah has repeatedly ignored and pointed out the indiscriminate nature of the attacks, which have targeted Muslim, Christian, Druze, and Jewish Israelis alike. “We won’t accept it,” Herzog declared.
The President also reminded viewers that “Israel did not want this war,” recounting how Hezbollah escalated the conflict following the October 7 terror attacks. He underscored Israel’s right to defend itself, noting that the country has been under relentless attack from Hezbollah for nearly a year. He added that approximately 100,000 Israeli citizens have been displaced from their homes due to the conflict.
Herzog expressed appreciation for U.S. diplomatic efforts, but stressed the difficulty of achieving a peaceful resolution when both Hezbollah and Hamas refuse to compromise. He highlighted the role of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who has tied the conflict in Gaza to the hostilities in the north, and emphasized the ongoing plight of 101 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. “The leader of Hamas, Sinwar, doesn’t want to move an iota. That’s the truth, and it’s been said time and again by American leaders,” Herzog stated.
As the conflict continues, Herzog’s message to the international community is clear: securing the release of hostages and achieving a long-term solution for border security must be central to global efforts to prevent further escalation.–News Desk