Netanyahu: Israeli Operations in Lebanon Will Continue Until Hezbollah Stops Rocket Attacks

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, stated on Thursday, October 5, that Israeli attacks against Hezbollah will continue "with full force" until the Lebanese group ceases its rocket fire. He added, "Israel's policy is clear. We will continue to attack Hezbollah with all our might, and we will not cease our operations until we achieve all our objectives, including the safe return of residents in the north to their homes." According to the Associated Press, Netanyahu's remarks dimmed hopes for the implementation of a ceasefire proposal put forth by American and European officials. On Thursday, Israel conducted a new attack in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, which resulted in the death of a senior Hezbollah commander, while the militant group launched dozens of rockets towards Israel. Since Hezbollah began its attacks on Israel in support of Hamas's actions on October 15 of last year, which also provoked a military response from Israel, tens of thousands of Israelis and Lebanese living near the borders of the two countries have been displaced. Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived in New York to speak at the annual United Nations General Assembly scheduled for Friday, October 6. Earlier, the U.S. State Department announced that Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, told an Israeli official on Thursday that the escalation of hostilities in Lebanon only makes it more difficult for civilians to return to their homes on both sides of the border. Reuters quoted Blinken's remarks, stating that Israel rejected global calls for a ceasefire with Hezbollah on Thursday. Despite Israel's stance, the United States and France have sought to keep alive the prospect of an immediate 21-day ceasefire, which they proposed on Wednesday, October 4. According to Reuters, the two countries say that negotiations, including those on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, are ongoing.