Dimming hopes for a cease-fire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel plans to continue striking Hezbollah “with full force” and will not stop until all of its goals are achieved. Only a short time before his statement, the Israeli military said it killed a Hezbollah drone commander in an airstrike on an apartment building in the suburbs of the Lebanese capital.
Story continues below advertisement
Netanyahu spoke as he landed in New York to attend the annual U.N. General Assembly meeting and as U.S., Canadian and European officials were pressing for a 21-day halt in fighting between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah to give time for negotiations. The statement tempered hopes for the international initiative aimed at halting increasingly heavy exchanges of fire that have killed hundreds of people in Lebanon and threatened to trigger an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel has talked of a possible ground invasion into Lebanon to push the militant group away from the border.
The Israeli military later said the strike killed Mohammed Hussein Surour. Hezbollah offered no immediate comment on the claim. Two people were killed and 15 wounded in the strike, the Lebanese Health Ministry said.
Over the past week, Israel has carried out several strikes in Beirut targeting senior Hezbollah commanders. Earlier in the day, a strike in eastern Lebanon killed 20 people, most of them Syrian migrants, according to Lebanese health officials. Israeli strikes since Monday have killed more than 630 people in Lebanon, around a quarter of them women and children, according to local health authorities.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has said at least two Canadians are among those killed in the escalating violence in Lebanon. A joint statement from Canada, the United States, Australia, European Union, United Arab Emirates and eight other countries calls on the governments of Lebanon and Israel and all parties involved to endorse a temporary 21-day ceasefire and “give a real chance to a diplomatic settlement.”
The joint statement, negotiated on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York by the U.S. and France, says the recent fighting is “intolerable and presents an unacceptable risk of a broader regional escalation.” U.S. officials told the Associated Press that Hezbollah would not be a signatory to the new cease-fire proposal but believed the Lebanese government would coordinate its acceptance with the group.
Story continues below advertisement
Hezbollah has not yet responded to the proposal for a pause in fighting. Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed it, but his government has no sway over the group. Hezbollah has insisted it would halt its strikes only if there is a cease-fire in Gaza, where Israel has battled Hamas for nearly a year. That appears out of reach despite months of negotiations led by the United States, Egypt and Qatar.
One of Netanyahu’s far-right governing partners threatened on Thursday to suspend cooperation with his government if it signs onto a temporary cease-fire with Hezbollah – and to quit completely if a permanent deal is reached. It was the latest sign of displeasure from Netanyahu’s allies toward international cease-fire efforts.
“If a temporary cease-fire becomes permanent, we will resign from the government,” said National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, head of the Jewish Power party. If Ben-Gvir leaves the coalition, Netanyahu would lose his parliamentary majority and could see his government come toppling down, though opposition leaders have said they would offer support for a cease-fire deal.
Story continues below advertisement
Israel launched a massive operation in Gaza after a Hamas-led attack into southern Israel on Oct. 7 in which some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed, and some 250 were taken hostage. The Israeli campaign has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local officials. Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel one day after the Oct. 7 attack in support of its Hamas allies, and Hezbollah and Israel have traded fire ever since.
Conclusion:
The ongoing violence between Israel and Hezbollah has left hundreds dead and thousands displaced. While international efforts to broker a cease-fire continue, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Israel will not stop until its goals are achieved. The situation remains dire, with many concerned about the risk of an all-out war.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How many people have been killed in the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah?
According to local health authorities, over 630 people have been killed in Lebanon, around a quarter of them women and children. Over 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to local officials.
2. Why has Israel escalated its strikes against Hezbollah?
Israel has escalated its strikes against Hezbollah in an effort to push the militant group away from the border and allow Israeli citizens to return to their homes.
3. Has a cease-fire been proposed?
Yes, a 21-day halt in fighting has been proposed by international officials. However, both sides have yet to accept the proposal, with Hezbollah insisting that a cease-fire in Gaza is necessary.
4. What is the situation like on the ground in Lebanon?
The situation is dire, with thousands of people displaced and hundreds dead. The fighting has also had a significant impact on Lebanon’s economy, with many businesses and services affected.
5. How has the international community responded to the crisis?
The international community has called for an immediate end to the violence and a cease-fire. Several countries, including Canada, the United States, Australia, and European Union, have issued statements urging restraint and calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
About The Author
