JERUSALEM − Israeli forces have reportedly killed the individuals who were likely to succeed the deceased Hezbollah head Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, as stated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, though he did not disclose their names.

“We have diminished Hezbollah’s strength. Thousands of terrorists have been eliminated, including Nasrallah and his successor, along with the successor’s successor,” Netanyahu remarked in a recorded video message.

Netanyahu did not specify the individual he referred to as Nasrallah’s successor whom he claims was killed by Israel.

A Hezbollah representative informed Reuters that Israeli actions were hindering rescue operations in a location where Nasrallah’s potential successor, Hashem Safieddine, was believed to have been present during Israeli airstrikes on southern Beirut’s suburbs last Thursday.

Israel reportedly killed Nasrallah in an airstrike on Beirut last September.

Earlier on Tuesday, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant stated that Nasrallah’s successor would likely have been “eliminated.”

It remained unclear who Netanyahu referred to as the “replacement of the replacement” in his statements.

Netanyahu claimed, “Today, Hezbollah is weaker than it has been for a long time,” in a message aimed at the Lebanese populace.

Hezbollah initiated rocket fire into Israeli territory on October 8, following Hamas attacks from Gaza that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people. Hezbollah justified its actions by expressing support for Hamas. According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, over 40,000 Palestinians have died in the ongoing conflict with Israel over the past year.

Approximately 60,000 Israeli residents in the northern regions have been forced to evacuate their homes. Israel’s declared goal is to secure its northern areas from Hezbollah’s rocket strikes and facilitate the return of displaced residents.

Netanyahu asserted, “Israel has the right to defend itself. Israel also has the right to triumph. And Israel will succeed,”

He urged Lebanon to “reclaim your nation” and choose a path of peace and prosperity, taking advantage of an opportunity that hasn’t been available for decades.

He added, “If you don’t act, Hezbollah will persist in trying to engage Israel from heavily populated regions, at your expense. They do not care if Lebanon is pulled into a larger conflict.” He further remarked, “Christians, Druze, Muslims — both Sunnis and Shiites — all of you are suffering due to Hezbollah’s pointless war against Israel.

“Do not allow these terrorists to ruin your future any further than they already have,” Netanyahu urged. “You have a chance to save Lebanon before it descends into a prolonged conflict resulting in devastation and suffering similar to what is being experienced in Gaza. It doesn’t have to evolve like this.”