Netanyahu war on Hezbollah/ Israeli offensive in Lebanon/ Hezbollah Israel strikes/ Newslooks/ NEW YORK/ Morning Edition/ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue military strikes against Hezbollah until all objectives are met, dimming hopes for a cease-fire. His statement comes as U.S. and European officials push for a temporary truce. Israel’s recent escalations have resulted in hundreds of casualties in Lebanon, with no end in sight to the conflict, which began after Hezbollah launched rockets following Hamas’ October 2023 attacks on Israel.
Netanyahu’s Refusal for Ceasefire: Quick Looks
- No ceasefire: Netanyahu announced Israel would continue striking Hezbollah “with full force” until its objectives are achieved, rejecting calls for a 21-day truce.
- Military escalation: Israel has increased attacks on Hezbollah, with airstrikes killing militants and civilians in Lebanon, including the death of a Hezbollah drone commander.
- Hezbollah response: Hezbollah continues firing rockets into Israel, while maintaining that it will only halt attacks if there is a ceasefire in Gaza.
- International push: U.S. and European officials push for a temporary ceasefire, but Netanyahu’s government remains firm in its rejection.
Netanyahu: Israel Will Strike Hezbollah Until Objectives Achieved
Deep Look
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Thursday that Israel will continue its military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon until all its goals are achieved. This uncompromising stance dashes any immediate hopes for a ceasefire, despite international efforts led by U.S. and European officials pushing for a 21-day halt in fighting to facilitate negotiations.
Netanyahu made the announcement as he arrived in New York for the U.N. General Assembly, marking a significant moment in Israel’s intensifying conflict with Hezbollah, a militant group based in Lebanon. Just before his statement, the Israeli military confirmed it had killed Mohammed Hussein Surour, a Hezbollah drone commander, in an airstrike on an apartment building in Beirut’s southern suburbs, further fueling tensions.
Continued Strikes Until Goals Achieved
Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s determination to continue its military offensive, emphasizing that the country’s “policy is clear” and that the attacks on Hezbollah would persist “with full force.” He highlighted the primary goal: to ensure the safe return of Israeli residents displaced from northern communities due to cross-border rocket fire. For nearly a year, Hezbollah has launched regular barrages into northern Israel, prompting the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents and threatening regional stability.
“We will not stop until we reach all our goals,” Netanyahu said. This statement was met with both concern and support, as Israel has shown no signs of slowing its bombardments, particularly in southern Lebanon and areas near the Syrian border, which are key Hezbollah strongholds.
International Ceasefire Efforts
The Israeli prime minister’s remarks come as the international community, led by the U.S., France, and other European nations, pushes for a temporary ceasefire. The proposed 21-day truce is aimed at giving both sides time to negotiate and possibly prevent further escalation into a full-scale war. However, hopes for the ceasefire are slim, with Netanyahu firmly rejecting any cessation of hostilities until Hezbollah is neutralized.
On the Lebanese side, the conflict has taken a severe toll, with over 630 casualties reported in recent Israeli strikes, a quarter of whom were women and children, according to Lebanese health authorities. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has continued its near-daily rocket fire into Israel, further complicating ceasefire efforts.
Hezbollah’s Response and Gaza Link
Hezbollah, for its part, has not formally responded to the proposed ceasefire. However, its leadership has made clear that any pause in fighting in Lebanon must be tied to a ceasefire in Gaza, where Israel has been waging an offensive against Hamas since October 2023. Hezbollah’s leadership remains resolute, pledging to continue supporting Hamas in Gaza while defending Lebanon from Israeli aggression.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with over 41,000 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes since the conflict began following Hamas’ attacks on October 7, 2023. Hezbollah began its rocket campaign against Israel in solidarity with Hamas just a day after those attacks. The ongoing violence has left both regions in turmoil, with little sign of relief for civilians on either side of the borders.
Netanyahu’s Domestic Pressure
Netanyahu’s stance is also under pressure from his right-wing coalition partners, some of whom have threatened to leave the government if any permanent ceasefire deal with Hezbollah is reached. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the Jewish Power party, issued a stark warning on Thursday, saying that while he would accept a temporary truce, his party would resign from the government if a permanent deal were signed.
Ben-Gvir’s resignation would endanger Netanyahu’s parliamentary majority, which is already fragile due to internal political strife. Despite this, Netanyahu appears resolute in maintaining his government’s current military course, dismissing ceasefire talks and focusing instead on achieving what he describes as “the full objectives” of the war in both Lebanon and Gaza.
Escalating Casualties in Lebanon
As Israeli airstrikes increase, the human toll in Lebanon continues to rise. On Thursday, the Israeli military conducted strikes on 75 targets across southern and eastern Lebanon. This included a significant airstrike in Baalbek, where a building housing Syrian workers was hit, killing at least 20 people, mostly Syrian migrants, according to Lebanese health officials. In response, Hezbollah retaliated with hundreds of rockets aimed at Israeli military positions, some reaching as far as Tel Aviv, though most were intercepted by Israeli defense systems.
The sheer scale of destruction is evident, with Lebanese officials reporting widespread devastation, particularly in Hezbollah-dominated areas. Many civilians have been forced to flee their homes, joining the ranks of displaced people, including Lebanon’s already staggering population of nearly 780,000 registered Syrian refugees.
Prospects of Ground Invasion
Adding to the concerns of an extended conflict is the possibility of an Israeli ground invasion into Lebanon. Israel has been amassing thousands of troops near the northern border, signaling its readiness for a potential large-scale operation. The aim would be to push Hezbollah forces further away from the border, reducing the threat posed by the militant group’s constant rocket fire.
Israel’s military strategy has focused on neutralizing Hezbollah’s rocket launchers and military infrastructure. However, this has led to significant civilian casualties and heightened international outcry. Despite this, the Israeli government continues to frame the conflict as a matter of national defense, insisting that its actions are necessary to protect its citizens from Hezbollah’s aggression.
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