Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military to intensify its attacks on Lebanon. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has now been commanded to increase the strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon to deliver what Netanyahu has described as a “decisive blow” to the armed group.
This order is problematic, as it came during the ongoing ceasefire between the Jewish state and the Lebanese government in Beirut. This ceasefire was agreed upon in mid-April after more than a month of fighting and was extended earlier in May.
The escalation in obvious violation of the ceasefire could further complicate indirect talks between the United States and Iran. Tehran has already stated that the Israeli military must end its operation against Hezbollah in order for a ceasefire with Washington to be extended. US President Donald Trump previously said Israel should only take “surgical” military action in Lebanon.
According to a report by RT, in a video message on Monday, Netanyahu insisted that Israel is “at war with Hezbollah” and that the country’s authorities “are not taking our foot off the gas.”
“On the contrary, I have instructed them [the IDF] to press the pedal even harder,” Netanyahu added. Hezbollah is “attacking us with drones… but what this requires of us now is to intensify the blows, increase the force,” Netanyahu stressed.
Not long after Netanyahu’s command, the Israeli military announced more strikes against Hezbollah targets in the Beqaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, as well as other parts of the country.
Netanyahu’s command has prompted far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to state that “it’s time for the prime minister to bang on Trump’s table and inform him that we are returning to war in Lebanon.” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich insisted that for every drone fired by Hezbollah, “ten buildings must fall in Beirut.”
According to a report by Axios, an unnamed US official has signaled that the Trump administration might be willing to support the intensified Israeli attacks in Lebanon.
“Hezbollah has ignored repeated requests to stop firing… Israel will never be expected to passively absorb attacks on its forces and civilians. This is not the Biden administration,” the official was quoted as saying.
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