Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, has announced that Israel will not accept a US-French proposed 21-day ceasefire with Hezbollah, stating that there will be no ceasefire in the north. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office also rejected the proposal, with the IDF being instructed to continue fighting with full force. Over 600 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel began bombing, leading to tens of thousands of Israelis and Lebanese being displaced.
Hardline finance minister Bezalel Smotrich also dismissed the idea of a ceasefire, insisting that the only option is to crush Hezbollah. Israel’s military has targeted dozens of Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanon, with additional deaths reported on both sides. The US and France have called for a temporary ceasefire to allow for negotiations, but Israel remains defiant.
Lebanon is facing a massive displacement crisis, with over 70,000 people seeking shelter due to the ongoing violence. Israel’s continued attacks and Hezbollah’s rocket launches have escalated tensions in the region. The international community, including the UK, EU, and three Gulf States, have backed the ceasefire proposal in an effort to bring about a resolution to the conflict.
Former UK ambassador to Lebanon, Tom Fletcher, has urged all sides to step back and avoid further escalation, emphasizing the need for state authority to be reinstated at the Lebanon-Israel border. He also stressed the importance of re-engaging both Hamas and Israel in the Gaza ceasefire agreement. The situation remains tense, as Israel’s air force reports rocket launches from Lebanon and ongoing military operations.
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