Netanyahu to Lebanese: 'Israel's war is with Hezbollah, not you'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a direct appeal to the people of Lebanon not to allow Hezbollah to endanger their country following massive air attacks by Israeli forces.

"I have a message for the people of Lebanon: Israel's war is not with you. It's with Hezbollah," he said, according to his office. "For too long, Hezbollah has been using you as human shields," he said.

Netanyahu said that Hezbollah had concealed its rockets directed at Israeli cities in private living rooms. "To defend our people against Hezbollah strikes, we must take out these weapons," the prime minister said.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had called on Lebanese people to seek safety, he said. Netanyahu appealed to the Lebanese people to take these warnings seriously.

"Don't let Hezbollah endanger your lives and the lives of your loved ones. Don't let Hezbollah endanger Lebanon. Please, get out of harm's way now," he said. Once the IDF operation was over, residents could return to their homes, he said.

More than 270 people were killed and over 1,000 injured by Israeli strikes in Lebanon on Monday, the Lebanese Health Ministry said.