Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz firmly rejected proposals for a ceasefire with Hezbollah after calls from the United States and France for a 21-day halt in fighting, which has resulted in numerous casualties in Lebanon and heightened concerns about a potential ground invasion.
"There won't be a northern cease-fire. Katz posted on the social media site X, "We will keep fighting the terrorist organization Hezbollah with all of our strength until we win and the people of the north can safely return to their homes."
His remarks crushed expectations for an expeditious settlement, coming after Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed optimism about the likelihood of a ceasefire being reached shortly.
Since this is the most intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in nearly 20 years, there are worries about a possible ground invasion by the Israelis along the Lebanese-Israeli border.
Iran has always backed Hezbollah in its battles with Israeli forces, ever since the Iranian Revolutionary Guards founded the organization in 1982 in reaction to an Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
The US, France, and several other allies coordinated their requests for an immediate 21-day truce in Gaza and across the Israel-Lebanon border during UN debates.
Though he has ordered the military to carry out operations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is en route to address the UN, stated that he had not yet responded to the ceasefire proposal.
Hardliners in Netanyahu's administration are arguing that Israel should keep up its onslaught against Hezbollah and are calling for a total rejection of any ceasefire.
During the course of overnight operations, the Israeli air force struck some seventy-five Hezbollah locations, including armament caches and launchers, in the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon.
At least 23 Syrians, including women and children, died in a particularly deadly hit in the town of Younine, according to Ali Qusas, the mayor of the town.
The Israeli military verified that on Thursday morning, it hit many Hezbollah targets, including fighters and military buildings.
In addition, about 45 rockets were fired into the western Galilee region from Lebanon; some were deflected by Israeli defenses, while others fell into uninhabited areas.
A collection of reports from the Lebanese health ministry states that the increase in airstrikes caused at least 72 fatalities.
Concerns regarding the safety of Turkish residents in Lebanon have been raised by the continuous violence, and Turkey is allegedly getting ready for possible evacuations.
Netanyahu reaffirmed his commitment to ensure that tens of thousands of Israeli residents displaced from northern border areas could safely return home.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a hardline member of Netanyahu's coalition, stated that Hezbollah must be defeated, arguing that only their surrender would allow for the return of evacuees.
Prime Minister Mikati welcomed the ceasefire proposals but underscored the importance of Israel's commitment to international resolutions to facilitate its implementation.
When asked about the likelihood of a ceasefire being secured soon, Mikati expressed cautious optimism, stating, "Hopefully, yes."
Mikati’s caretaker government includes members from Hezbollah, which is considered the most influential political entity in Lebanon.
The proposed ceasefire would apply to the "Blue Line," the border demarcation between Israel and Lebanon, creating a framework for potential diplomatic negotiations to resolve the conflict.
Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, endorsed the call for an immediate 21-day ceasefire to enable successful diplomatic efforts.
Israel's military strategy prioritizes securing its northern border and facilitating the return of approximately 70,000 residents displaced by ongoing hostilities initiated by Hezbollah.
Israeli airstrikes have intensified since Monday, leading to over 550 fatalities on what has been described as Lebanon's deadliest day since the end of its civil war.
An estimated half a million Lebanese have been displaced, with hospitals struggling to accommodate the influx of wounded individuals as airstrikes continue.
The violence, including recent attacks that caused widespread casualties, has raised alarms about the possibility of a broader conflict in the Middle East, particularly given Hezbollah and Hamas's connections as Iranian proxies.
Before a UN Security Council meeting, Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon expressed support for a ceasefire, advocating for a diplomatic resolution while highlighting Iran as the root of regional violence and asserting that dismantling its influence is essential for peace.
