Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his commitment to targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon during a meeting with military and intelligence leaders at the Defense Ministry. Following intense Israeli air raids that resulted in over 560 fatalities, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel's conflict is solely with Hezbollah, not the Lebanese people. He stated, 'We will continue to strike Hezbollah,' highlighting the ongoing military operations aimed at degrading the militant group's capabilities. The situation escalated as Hezbollah retaliated with rocket and drone attacks on Israeli sites, prompting further Israeli military responses.
The United States has initiated diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. The White House has expressed concerns that a broader conflict would not serve Israel's interests. U.S. officials are engaging in discussions with both Lebanese and Israeli representatives to explore possible avenues for peace, although no concrete agreements have been reached yet. Israel's envoy to the UN, Danny Danon, indicated that Israel is open to diplomatic solutions and prefers to avoid a ground invasion, citing previous experiences in Lebanon as a deterrent.
