On Thursday, Israel dismissed a ceasefire proposal concerning Hezbollah in Lebanon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office labeled reports of the truce as “false,” clarifying that the suggestion came from the United States and France, and that Netanyahu had not responded. Instead, it stated that Netanyahu had instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to continue operations with full force.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz also rejected the proposal, which sought a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Katz affirmed, “There will be no ceasefire in the north. We will continue to fight Hezbollah with all our strength until victory is achieved, and the residents of the north can return home safely.”
As Netanyahu prepared to address the United Nations General Assembly, he reiterated that the military should proceed with full-force operations as planned. Soon after, the Israeli military initiated fresh airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
The ceasefire proposal, advocated by the US, France, and other allies, aimed to establish a 21-day halt in fighting along the Israel-Lebanon “Blue Line” to facilitate diplomatic discussions. However, Israel has continued its most intense airstrikes in Lebanon since the 2006 war, as cross-border violence with Hezbollah threatens to escalate further. Hezbollah, for its part, has launched hundreds of missiles into Israel, including toward Tel Aviv, though Israel’s aerial defense systems have minimized the damage.
On Wednesday, Israel’s army chief hinted at a potential ground offensive in Lebanon, advising troops near the border to be prepared, though it remains unclear if this was a strategic move to pressure Hezbollah or a precursor to larger military action.
Earlier in the week, US President Joe Biden, in an interview on ABC’s “The View,” warned of the risk of an “all-out war” in the Middle East but expressed hope that further violence could be avoided. The exchange of fire between Israel and Hezbollah has been ongoing since October 7, following Hamas’ attack on southern Israeli communities.