Netanyahu: No Cease-fire, Attacks Against Hezbollah to Continue
The Facts
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as other Israeli officials, indicated on Thursday that Israel is not seeking a temporary cease-fire with Hezbollah and will continue striking Lebanon "until we accomplish all of our goals."
The US, France, and other Western allies had said they sought to implement a 21-day cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah to help facilitate further negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage release deal in Gaza. Israeli and US officials are expected to meet in New York City on Thursday to discuss the issue.
The Spin
Though the situation in the region continues to escalate, the US has stood firm in its role as a mediator. Israel has every right to respond to Hezbollah's daily terror attacks along its northern border. However, it is in no one's interest for tensions to explode into a wider regional war. The US will continue to work toward regional stability.
The US must stop with its naive plans for "cease-fires" that will only lead to more terror. Israel has been incredibly patient regarding the situation in the north, but, after a year of daily terror attacks on Israeli civilians, Israel has been forced to deal with Hezbollah more aggressively. Israel wants peace more than anyone, but it cannot allow Hezbollah and other Iran-backed terror groups to threaten its society in such an existential way.
It is clear that Israel is using the same strategy in Lebanon that it has used in Gaza – the forced displacement of the civilian population. The US continues in this cease-fire charade while arming Israel to the teeth, encouraging Israel to light the region on fire. The only way to end this nightmare is for the US to finally end its unilateral support for a genocidal Israeli state.
The attacks against Lebanon are a clear example of Israeli terrorism in the region and its disregard for human life. Hezbollah opened a support front with Israel to stand in solidarity with Gaza which has faced a genocidal Israeli campaign. Its attacks will end when Israel withdraws from Gaza. Nonetheless, Hezbollah is ready and able to defend Lebanon from Israeli aggression.