Netanyahu on Israel’s Lebanon Strikes: “Full Force”

Israel Continues Lebanon Strikes: Netanyahu’s Firm Stance

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, upon landing in the U.S. for the United Nations General Assembly, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to continue military strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. His message was clear: the offensive will not stop until all military objectives are met.

Speaking to reporters in New York, Netanyahu stated, “Our policy is clear. We are continuing to strike Hezbollah with full force. We will not stop until we achieve all our goals, chief among them the secure return of the residents of the north to their homes.” His remarks came with a stern warning, “This is our policy — let no one be mistaken.”

The statement comes as Israel defies international calls for a ceasefire, including from its biggest ally, the United States, and pushes forward with airstrikes that have killed hundreds and raised fears of an all-out regional war.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz echoed the prime minister’s stance, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “There will be no ceasefire in the north. We will continue to fight the Hezbollah terrorist organization with all our strength until victory and the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes.”

Meanwhile, an Israeli airstrike targeted the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon’s capital, resulting in two deaths and 15 injuries, including a woman in critical condition, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. The death toll from overnight and Thursday’s strikes now stands at 28.

According to Reuters, among those killed in the latest strikes was Mohammad Surur, a key Hezbollah air force unit leader.

Since Monday, over 600 people have died from Israeli strikes in Lebanon. In retaliation, Hezbollah has launched hundreds of missiles targeting locations across Israel, including Tel Aviv. However, Israel’s advanced aerial defense systems have largely mitigated the damage from these attacks.

On Wednesday, Israel’s army chief made the most explicit statement yet regarding a possible ground invasion of Lebanon, urging troops stationed near the border to be ready to cross over.

In addition, Israeli fighter jets targeted infrastructure along the Lebanese-Syrian border on Thursday to prevent the transfer of weapons from Syria to Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to Israeli military sources.