Israel rejects a ceasefire proposal with Hezbollah, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office terming reports of a potential truce as “false.” This was the office’s description of an initiative forwarded by the US and France, from whom the prime minister had not even received a response. Netanyahu has instead directed the IDF to continue their operations against Hezbollah with full force.
Israel rejects the proposal
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz rejected the demand that called for a 21-day cease-fire along the Lebanon-Israel border. “There will be no ceasefire in the north. We will continue fighting against the Hezbollah terrorist organization with all of our might until victory and the secure return of the north’s residents to their home,” Katz declared over the X platform.
Amid growing international calls for a ceasefire, Netanyahu yesterday declared that his government would reject the terms of any two-week truce and continued to vow to continue his all-out attacks against Hezbollah. This firm declaration against a ceasefire comes as Netanyahu prepares to address the United Nations General Assembly, maintaining his government’s commitment to full-force military operations. Shortly after this announcement, Israeli forces launched a new wave of airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, continuing what has been described as the heaviest bombardment since the 2006 Lebanon War.
The US and France, with their international allies, had agreed to a ceasefire to pave the way for diplomatic talks. Their proposed plan was a 21-day standstill by both sides along the Israel-Lebanon “Blue Line,” which marks the border according to United Nations directives. Still, Israel has not indicated relenting in its ground offensives, and clashes along the border between Israel and Hezbollah kept heightening. Since the situation intensified, Israel’s air raid attacks have pounded Lebanon with intensity and have resulted in hundreds of dead.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah has been launching a series of missiles attacks into Israel, including attacks on Tel Aviv. Despite the extreme number of attacks launched into Israel, Israel’s advanced air defense system has managed to cut down much of the damage. However, exchange of fire is fueling fears that the battle could escalate into an all-out war.
Israel’s Chief of Staff Benny Gantz gave a hint of ground invasion in Lebanon on Wednesday by calling for Israeli troops stationed near the border to gear up for the escalation. The statement was vague as to whether this is a tactical maneuver aimed at forcing Hezbollah into some concessions or an actual indication of war activity. For now, however, it appears that the country is determined to continue the military campaign, with no immediate political resolution to the escalating crisis anytime soon.