In a firm statement on Thursday, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz rejected the ceasefire proposal, emphasizing that Israel would continue its military campaign against Hezbollah without pause. Katz took to the social media platform X to declare, “There will be no ceasefire in the north. We will continue to fight against the Hezbollah terrorist organization with all our strength until victory and the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu, who departed Israel for the United Nations on Thursday, reinforced Katz’s stance by ordering the Israeli army to maintain operations at full force. While Netanyahu’s office acknowledged the ceasefire proposal, it clarified that the prime minister had not responded to it. Netanyahu’s office issued a statement, noting, “This is an American-French proposal that the Prime Minister has not even responded to.”
Heightened Military Action
Shortly after Netanyahu’s statement, Israel launched another round of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, further intensifying the hostilities. The Israeli military’s heightened activity comes after weeks of increased tension along the Israel-Lebanon border, particularly along the “Blue Line” — the demarcation separating the two nations.
In response to Hezbollah’s ongoing missile attacks on Israeli territory, including unprecedented strikes on Tel Aviv, Israel has implemented its most extensive air assault on Lebanon since the 2006 conflict. Over the past week, more than 600 people have been killed as cross-border fire between Hezbollah and Israeli forces brings the two sides closer to full-scale war.
Amid the violence, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich voiced support for a sustained military effort against Hezbollah. Smotrich called for Hezbollah’s complete surrender, arguing that only then would it be safe for displaced Israelis in the north to return home. He said, “The enemy must not be given time to recover from the heavy blows he received and to reorganize for the continuation of the war after 21 days.”
Similarly, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s far-right faction has come out against the ceasefire proposal. The faction held an emergency meeting Thursday to discuss the issue, but opposition to the ceasefire was already apparent among key members.
Ground Assault and International Tensions
On Wednesday, Israel’s army chief made his most direct comments on a potential ground operation in Lebanon, urging Israeli troops near the border to prepare for a possible ground assault. While it remains unclear if these remarks foreshadow an imminent ground invasion, the buildup of forces in the region continues. Israel called up two additional reserve brigades to reinforce its northern front.
The call for a ceasefire, backed by the US, France, and other allies, was intended to open the door to diplomatic negotiations between Israel and Hezbollah. However, Israel’s leadership remains adamant about continuing the military campaign. The ceasefire was aimed at providing a temporary halt in hostilities along the Blue Line to negotiate terms that might lead to a long-term resolution.
Background
The current escalation follows nearly a year of sporadic cross-border fire between Hezbollah and Israel. Tensions reached a breaking point on October 7, when Hezbollah launched its first barrage of missiles into Israel, following a deadly attack on Israeli communities by Hamas militants from Gaza. Since then, Hezbollah has fired hundreds of missiles at Israeli targets, leading to significant damage despite Israel’s robust aerial defense systems.
The ongoing exchange of fire has displaced thousands on both sides, and Israel’s northern residents have been evacuated from high-risk areas. While the US and France push for a diplomatic solution, Israel shows no signs of halting its operations, believing that only decisive military action can neutralize the Hezbollah threat.
As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, hoping that diplomatic efforts can eventually lead to a resolution. But for now, with both sides unwilling to back down, the conflict along the Israel-Lebanon border continues to escalate.
Source: Social Media and Reuters
