Israeli envoy repeats Lebanon-Hezbollah claims

Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, has repeated his claim that Israel and Lebanon share the goal of liberating Lebanon from what he calls an Iranian occupation force, specifically Hezbollah. Leiter stated that both sides are united in the desire to 'liberate Lebanon' from the 'occupying power' dominated by Iran. He asserted that Lebanon is under Hezbollah's 'occupation' and that Israel suffers from its rocket attacks and border incursions. The comments come amid ongoing US-hosted direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, which have faced condemnation from Hezbollah-aligned factions in Lebanon.