Benjamin Netanyahu has said there is “no ceasefire in Lebanon” and vowed that Israel would continue to strike Hezbollah “with full force” as the country’s military launched fresh attacks.
The Israeli prime minister’s remarks came alongside the latest strikes on what the Israel Defense Forces described as “Hezbollah launch sites”. The attacks followed a period of renewed tension after strikes that killed more than 300 people.
Netanyahu’s comments came shortly after Donald Trump said he had asked him to be more “low-key” in Lebanon. The timing underscored the growing diplomatic pressure surrounding Israel’s military campaign and the situation along the Lebanon border.
Later, a US state department official said Israel and Lebanon will hold talks in Washington next week. The announcement added a diplomatic dimension to the conflict as the military confrontation continued.
Netanyahu also ordered his ministers to seek direct talks with Lebanon that would focus on disarming Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed group that has been at the center of the latest escalation.
The Israeli leader’s position leaves little ambiguity about Israel’s immediate approach. Despite international concern and calls for restraint, he signaled that military operations would continue while diplomatic efforts are explored in parallel.
The latest strikes and the comments from both Israeli and US officials point to a volatile moment in the crisis, with battlefield action and diplomacy unfolding at the same time. For now, Netanyahu has made clear that he sees no ceasefire in place and no change in Israel’s willingness to keep attacking Hezbollah positions.
