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. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Leiter stated the Lebanese government made it clear during U.S.-brokered talks with Israel that they no longer want to be "occupied" by Hezbollah. He added that conversations included a long-term vision for a clearly delineated border between the two countries. These remarks are the latest in a series of Israeli statements framing the conflict as a joint effort with the Lebanese state against the militant group.