Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said there is “no ceasefire in Lebanon,” stressing that military operations against Hezbollah will continue despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilise the region. His remarks came as Israeli forces carried out fresh strikes, targeting what the military described as Hezbollah positions, according to The Guardian.
The escalation comes even as a broader ceasefire linked to the US-Israel-Iran conflict has been announced, with Israel maintaining that Lebanon is not covered under that arrangement. Netanyahu reiterated that operations against the Iran-backed Hezbollah would proceed “with full force,” underscoring Israel’s stance that its Lebanon campaign is separate from the truce framework.
Over 300 reported killed
According to The Guardian, more than 300 people were killed in Israeli strikes across Lebanon within 24 hours of the ceasefire announcement earlier this week, raising concerns among international humanitarian organisations over the scale and intensity of the attacks.
Amid the escalation, a US State Department official said Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold talks in Washington next week. The proposed discussions follow Netanyahu’s directive to his ministers to explore direct engagement with Lebanon, focusing on the disarmament of Hezbollah.
No confirmation on talks
However, neither Israel nor Lebanon has officially confirmed participation in the proposed talks. The Lebanese government has indicated that it would require a formal ceasefire before entering negotiations, underscoring a major sticking point in diplomatic efforts.
The ongoing strikes have heightened concerns over the fragility of the broader ceasefire and the risk of further regional escalation. International reactions have also intensified, with several global actors urging restraint and calling for a more comprehensive ceasefire that includes Lebanon.
Trump urges restraint
US President Donald Trump said he had asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to scale down military operations in Lebanon to aid ongoing diplomatic efforts. Speaking to NBC News, Trump confirmed he urged Netanyahu to “low-key it,” adding that Israeli actions were being moderated.