Key Takeaways:
– The office of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu resistant to international pressure for a ceasefire with Hezbollah.
– The joint statement from President Biden and French President Macron went unanswered.
– The Israeli government dismisses claims of easing military aggression, emphasizes continuation of fighting.
– Israel’s Foreign Minister openly rejects the idea of a ceasefire on social media.
– Tensions increase amid fears of escalating violence and potential for a broader war in the Middle East.
As tension tightens around the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has resisted international clamor for a ceasefire on Thursday. This stance was declared despite a joint plea from President Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, who had rallied wide international backing for a temporary truce proposal.
Neglecting International Ceasefire Plea
The American-French joint statement that urged both belligerents to support the proposal was declared on Wednesday. This diplomatic initiative, however, had sparked no affirmative response by Thursday while deadly exchanges perpetuated. Netanyahu’s office shut down rumors of an Israeli leader advising the military to temper its offensive against Hezbollah to pave the way for ceasefire talks, labeling it as “the opposite of the truth.”
“We will not cease fire in the north.” Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, pushed back any hope of a calm northward via social media.
On-the-ground Tension Escalates
With the backdrop of the UN General Assembly in New York, Biden and Macron had joined forces to advocate for a pause in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The sum total of casualties from a week’s worth of Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon exceeded 630, based on data from the country’s health ministry. Several injuries have been reported in Israel due to the constant downpour of rockets and drones from Hezbollah, which the nation’s missile defenses are mostly able to intercept.
Hezbollah declared its attack on Israel as part of the broader Palestinian cause, given Israel’s tough response to a terrorist attack by Hamas. This mutual hostility, supplemented by Hezbollah’s size and armament advantage over Hamas, raises concerns about the evolution of a broader Middle Eastern conflict. This could potentially draw in international players, with Hezbollah allied to Iran, and the U.S. standing as Israel’s key ally.
Humanitarian Impact Deepens
The continuing cross-fire has already destabilized communities on both sides of the border. The number of refugees has risen sharply ever since Israel began targeting Hezbollah bases in Lebanon with airstrikes, causing people to flee from the south of the country.
The American and French leaders emphasized the need for a settlement on the Israel-Lebanon border to safeguard civilians’ return to their homes. They warned that the increasing violence since October 7th could increase the scope of this conflict and cause civilian harm.
In their proposal, both leaders expressed enthusiasm for multinational support, and urged the Israeli and Lebanese governments for immediate cooperation. The proposal garnered endorsements from various nations and blocs including the U.S., Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
Despite the Advocacy, Violence Continues
As conflicts continue, the Israeli Air Force announced hitting about 75 Hezbollah terrorist targets, weapon storage, and firing bases among others. Alongside, Lebanon’s state media reported that an Israeli airstrike targeting a building populated by Syrian workers resulted in 23 deaths and 8 injuries, according to the Associated Press.