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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a US-led proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Hezbollah.

Let’s bring you up to speed: The US-led ceasefire proposal, unveiled on Wednesday and backed by several nations, including France, Germany, and Saudi Arabia, called for a 21-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah. The initiative sought to halt the escalating violence and allow for negotiations aimed at resolving tensions. US officials, including a senior Biden administration official, indicated that a ceasefire deal was imminent and would prevent a full-scale war.  

What Netanyahu is saying: Despite claims that a ceasefire deal was imminent, Netanyahu has shot down the possibility of a truce with Hezbollah, asserting that Israel will continue its military operations with full force until its objectives are fully achieved. He said, “Our policy is clear. 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.”  

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz also echoed Netanyahu’s statement, saying, “There will be no ceasefire in the north. We will continue to fight against the terrorist organization Hezbollah with all our might until victory and the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes.”

Netanyahu’s office chimes in: Following reports that a ceasefire deal was close, Netanyahu’s office also dismissed the idea of a ceasefire, saying, “The Prime Minister has directed the IDF to continue fighting with full force, according to the plan that was presented to him. The fighting in Gaza will also continue until all the objectives of the war have been achieved.”

Digging Deeper: In recent weeks, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has seen a significant escalation, with intense exchanges of rocket fire and airstrikes. Israeli forces have launched major strikes in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah members, weapon systems, and storage facilities. These strikes have resulted in significant civilian casualties, with over 500 people reportedly killed in a single day and many others injured. Meanwhile, Israel has reported relatively few casualties, thanks in large part to its advanced air defense systems, which have effectively intercepted many of Hezbollah’s rockets.