Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to continue military strikes against Hezbollah with “full force,” dampening international hopes for a proposed ceasefire. His remarks come amid escalating violence between Israel and the Lebanese militant group, with both sides engaging in heavy cross-border attacks. Despite diplomatic efforts led by the United States and European officials to broker a 21-day ceasefire, Benjamin Netanyahu’s firm stance suggests the conflict will continue unabated.
In a significant escalation, Israeli forces launched a precision airstrike in Beirut on Thursday, killing Mohammed Hussein Surour, a senior Hezbollah commander responsible for the group’s drone operations. The Lebanese health ministry confirmed that at least two people were killed and 15 others injured in the strike. Hezbollah, in retaliation, launched dozens of rockets into northern Israel. Israeli defense forces reported that over 45 missiles were fired, all of which were either intercepted or landed in unpopulated areas.
The Israeli Prime Minister, currently in New York for the UN General Assembly, reaffirmed his commitment to targeting Hezbollah, stating, “We are continuing to strike Hezbollah with full force, and we will not stop until we reach all our goals, chief among them the return of the residents of the north securely to their homes.” His comments signaled Israel’s unwillingness to consider the ceasefire proposal, despite mounting pressure from international mediators.
US officials, including Mideast envoy Brett McGurk and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have been actively engaging with Israeli counterparts in an attempt to halt the violence. White House spokesperson John Kirby confirmed that Israel had been fully informed about the ceasefire proposal, while French President Emmanuel Macron expressed hope that Israel’s rejection was not final. Macron warned that refusing the ceasefire could lead to regional escalation and said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would bear responsibility for such an outcome.
Meanwhile, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, in a speech at the UN, called for an immediate ceasefire, warning that the ongoing conflict threatens the very existence of Lebanon. The violence has already resulted in severe humanitarian consequences, with nearly 700 people killed in Lebanon this week alone due to Israeli airstrikes. The cross-border hostilities have displaced tens of thousands of civilians on both sides. In Lebanon, over 90,000 people have been forced to flee their homes since the recent escalation, contributing to a total of 200,000 displaced since the conflict began.
Amid rising concerns over a full-scale war, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, speaking in London, expressed optimism that a diplomatic solution could still be found. However, with both sides intensifying their military actions, the prospect of immediate peace remains uncertain.
