Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed that Israel will continue its military operations against Hezbollah “wherever necessary,” despite the announcement of a fragile two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
Netanyahu made the remarks on Thursday following a massive wave of Israeli airstrikes carried out a day earlier across Lebanon. According to Lebanon’s health ministry, the strikes killed at least 254 people and left more than 1,100 others injured, marking one of the deadliest escalations in recent weeks.
The Israeli leader stressed that his government remains committed to restoring security in northern Israel, an area frequently targeted by cross-border attacks. He said the ongoing operations are aimed at weakening Hezbollah’s military capabilities and dismantling what he described as the group’s “force and determination.”
“The objective is clear—to ensure that residents of the north can live in safety,” Netanyahu said, signaling that military pressure would continue regardless of broader diplomatic developments in the region.
The latest escalation comes as the Israeli military, known as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), launched what it described as one of the most intense bombardments of the conflict. In a coordinated assault reportedly lasting about 10 minutes, Israeli forces targeted more than 100 sites across Lebanon under an operation referred to as “Operation Eternal Darkness.”
During the offensive, the IDF announced the killing of Ali Yusuf Harshi, identified as a close aide to Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem. The strikes also targeted key infrastructure, including crossing points along the Litani River, as well as weapons depots, command centers, and rocket-launching sites believed to be used by the militant group.
In response to the high number of casualties, the Lebanese government declared Thursday a national day of mourning. The office of the Prime Minister ordered the closure of public institutions and directed that flags be flown at half-mast in honor of those killed in the strikes.
The continued Israeli operations have cast doubt over the effectiveness of the recently announced ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, brokered by Pakistan. The agreement, often referred to as the Islamabad Accords, was intended to create a temporary window for diplomatic negotiations and de-escalation across the region.
However, both Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump have indicated that the ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon, effectively excluding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah from the truce framework.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier stated that the ceasefire was intended to apply broadly across the region, including Lebanon. However, the differing interpretations have created uncertainty and raised concerns about the agreement’s scope and enforceability.
In retaliation for the Israeli strikes, Hezbollah launched multiple rockets into northern Israel on Thursday morning. The attacks triggered air raid sirens in several communities, forcing residents to seek shelter. The group described the rocket fire as a necessary response to what it termed violations of the ceasefire.
The escalating violence in Lebanon is now seen as the most significant threat to the fragile diplomatic efforts underway. Analysts warn that continued hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah could derail the two-week negotiation window and potentially draw in other regional actors.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have raised alarm over the growing humanitarian crisis. The group and others have called for immediate measures to protect civilians, noting that the death toll in Lebanon has exceeded 1,500 since intensified military operations began in early March.
With tensions continuing to rise, the situation remains highly volatile. While diplomatic efforts are ongoing, the persistence of military action on the ground underscores the challenges of achieving a comprehensive ceasefire in a region marked by overlapping conflicts and competing interests.
As the two-week ceasefire period unfolds, global attention will remain fixed on whether negotiations can yield a lasting agreement or whether continued fighting in Lebanon will further destabilize the Middle East.
