Benjamin Netanyahu has urged Lebanese civilians to rise up against Hezbollah and “take back” their country as pressure mounts on Israel over its invasion of Lebanon.

The Israeli prime minister issued a video message to the people of Lebanon, in which he told them: “It is your choice. You can now take back your country. You can return it to a path of peace and prosperity.

“Each of you can take a step for your future. Even a small step. Free your country from Hezbollah so that this war can end.”

Mr Netanyahu confirmed that the Israeli military had killed the would-be successors of Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader killed in a strike on Beirut last month.

Although he did not name him, it is thought he was referring to Hashem Safieddine, Nasrallah’s cousin.