Netanyahu orders army to fight on in Lebanon as US pushes for ceasefire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly dismissed reports of a potential ceasefire in Lebanon, asserting on Thursday that the Israeli military will continue its offensive against Hezbollah “with full force.”

This declaration comes as a new wave of Israeli airstrikes targeted various locations in southern and eastern Lebanon, intensifying the ongoing conflict in the region.

Netanyahu’s comments followed airstrikes reported by the Lebanese state news agency NNA, which detailed attacks aimed at Hezbollah infrastructure along the Syria-Lebanon border. The Israeli military confirmed it was targeting “Hezbollah terror targets” and facilities used for weapon transfers from Syria to the militant group. “Fighter jets of the Air Force recently attacked infrastructures on the Syria-Lebanon border,” the military stated, emphasizing its commitment to neutralizing threats from Hezbollah.

Also Read: Hong Kong sentences journalists in sedition case

The escalation in hostilities included approximately 45 rockets launched from Lebanon towards northern Israel, prompting air raid sirens in the region. The Israeli military reported that while some rockets were intercepted, others fell in open areas, with the last rocket fire recorded about 19 hours prior to the latest incident. Hezbollah, in turn, claimed responsibility for the barrage, asserting it was in “defense of Lebanon” and in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Amid these developments, Netanyahu has not responded to a ceasefire proposal put forth by the United States and France. A statement from his office clarified, “The news about a ceasefire is incorrect… The prime minister instructed the (Israel Defense Forces) to continue the fighting with full force, and according to the plans presented to him.” Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, echoed this sentiment, declaring, “there will be no ceasefire in the north,” and vowing to continue fighting Hezbollah “with all our might until victory and the safe return of residents of the north to their homes.”

Reports suggest that the ongoing discussions about a potential temporary ceasefire with Hezbollah may influence Netanyahu’s agenda during his upcoming trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

As tensions mount, the conflict shows no signs of abating, with Netanyahu’s administration steadfast in its military objectives despite international calls for restraint and a renewed focus on diplomatic solutions. The situation remains fluid, and the impact of these developments will likely reverberate across the region.