Israel President Isaac Herzog urged European nations to support efforts to 'eradicate' Hezbollah as Israeli forces conduct limited ground operations in southern Lebanon. He said Europe must understand that achieving stability sometimes requires victory in war, framing the current conflict as part of a broader struggle reshaping the Middle East.

Fighting intensified after Hezbollah launched attacks on March 2 in response to the killing of Iran's supreme leader in joint United States and Israeli strikes. Israel has since carried out extensive air raids in southern Lebanon and Beirut, while Hezbollah and Iran have launched coordinated rocket and missile attacks against Israel. Lebanese authorities report nearly 900 deaths and more than one million people displaced, while Israel says hundreds of Hezbollah fighters have been killed.

Herzog welcomed France's proposal to host direct talks between Israel and Lebanon, calling negotiations a positive development and expressing hope for progress toward peace. However, he criticized the Lebanese army for failing to disarm Hezbollah, saying its limitations have left Israel to act.

Describing the wider war with Iran as a 'historical juncture,' Herzog argued that confronting Tehran serves Europe's security interests. He called on the international community to back Israel and the United States in what he described as a decisive moment that could change the region's future.