Netanyahu says Israeli attacks on Hezbollah “will not stop” despite ceasefire calls

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed the possibility of halting military attacks on Lebanon despite growing calls from countries and international organisations for a ceasefire to prevent the conflict from escalating into a full-scale regional war.

On Thursday, Lebanon’s Foreign Minister, Abdallah Bouhabib called for collective efforts to de-escalate cross-border hostilities in the UN general assembly, with the US, France, and other allies backing a three-week ceasefire proposal to suspend fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

Bouhabib emphasised that the responsibility for maintaining peace in the region lies with Israel, adding that lasting stability can only be achieved through a two-state solution.

Speaking to reporters in New York, Netanyahu said, “We are continuing to strike Hezbollah with full force, and we will not stop until we reach all our goals – chief among them the return of the residents of the north securely to their homes.”

Earlier, the Israeli government rejected ceasefire proposals from the US and France, with Netanyahu instructing the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to "continue fighting with full force, according to the plan presented to him."

“The fighting in Gaza will also persist until all the objectives of the war have been achieved,” the Israeli government stated.

Media reports previously indicated that the US was attempting to persuade Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire with Hezbollah ahead of his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday.

As the Israeli government remains resolute in continuing the war, White House spokesperson John Kirby said, “It’s unclear why Netanyahu seems to have dismissed the ceasefire proposal.”

On Thursday, Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon claimed the lives of 700 people and left more than 2,000 wounded since Monday.