Netanyahu to Northern Leaders: "We Removed the Threat of a Ground Invasion" and Will Expand the Security Buffer

(Photo: Prime Minister's Office Spokesperson)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke today (Wednesday) with members of the "Confrontation Line" forum. Netanyahu addressed forum members over Zoom while they gathered at the Mateh Asher Regional Council. Attending the in-person meeting were the forum's chair, Moshe Davidovich, the heads of the municipalities along the Confrontation Line, and members of the forum of director generals of the government ministries, led by the Acting Director General of the Prime Minister's Office, Drorit Steinmetz.

Netanyahu encouraged the heads of the municipalities for their "steadfast stand" and instructed his office's director general to continue removing obstacles in cooperation with all the ministries' director generals, and in line with the needs of the local leaders.

"I welcome the steadfast stand of the heads of the municipalities along the Confrontation Line, upon whom a heavy mission rests. We removed the threat of a ground invasion, and we are further expanding the security buffer. We are determined to change the situation in Lebanon from the ground up" – Netanyahu told those present.

Members of the "Confrontation Line" forum said that during the discussion the local leaders raised the challenges they face and the areas where it is appropriate for the government to intervene and assist. It was decided that the Acting Director General of the Prime Minister's Office will continue with focused working teams to resolve the issues that were raised, alongside a continued significant push to advance long-term recovery decisions within the allocated rehabilitation budgets.

In the call, Netanyahu added: "I instructed that the cut to the North be canceled and that additional funds be added for rehabilitation, support for populations, and more. We will do everything possible to prevent residents from leaving the communities, and there are solutions for that."

Acting Director General of the Prime Minister's Office, Drorit Steinmetz, said at the end of the discussion: "We are working in full cooperation across all government ministries to provide you, the local authorities, with the best possible response. Just last night we passed several significant government decisions to help provide tailored responses to residents and additional assistance tools for the municipalities."

The head of the Mateh Asher Regional Council and chair of the Confrontation Line, Moshe Davidovich, said: "I thank the prime minister for joining the meeting via Zoom and for expressing an explicit commitment that the government will not abandon the North and will allocate the necessary budgets to deal with the consequences of the war, and he even promised to come himself to the Confrontation Line."

"In the meeting it was agreed that as soon as this coming Monday an immediate compensation track will open for businesses along the Confrontation Line, including advance payments, alongside promoting urgent solutions for protection, tax benefits, and civil resilience. We are working together out of a deep commitment to the North and long for quiet and safe days for all our citizens."

As a reminder, the government last night approved a series of significant budgetary measures totaling about 110 million shekels, intended to strengthen the local authorities and Israel's home front during wartime. The decision, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, focuses on providing a quick response to communities under fire.

As part of the aid package, about 60 million shekels were allocated to Confrontation Line authorities located within up to 9 kilometers of the border. This budget is intended to bolster mental resilience, community respite activities, and social services, under a policy designed to enable residents to remain in their homes despite the security tensions.

In addition, the government approved immediate assistance of 50 million shekels for authorities that sustained direct rocket impacts and were forced to evacuate residents from their homes. The government emphasizes that this amount is granted in addition to the customary Property Tax Fund compensation for structural damage and the financing of hotel stays for evacuees.