Benjamin Netanyahu Says Israel To Step Up Attacks Against Hezbollah In Lebanon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country will escalate strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, with both local and U.S. officials. saying the group continued to launch attacks.

Netanyahu made the announcement after a drone struck a home in the northern community on Metula, and another damaged a school bus elsewhere. Moreover, a soldier was killed on Sunday.

Israeli forces confirmed carrying out strikes in southern and eastern parts of the country. Lebanese people also began leaving the southern suburbs of Beirut, largely considered a Hezbollah stronghold, anticipating renewed strikes there.

Activities in northern Israel are also being disrupted. Communities announced that schools would be closed until further notice and shift to remote learning.

The Times of Israel cited a senior U.S. official who signaled Washington could approve of intensified attacks as a result of increased drone attacks from Hezbollah, which have been taking place practically daily and caused disruption in northern Israel.

“Hezbollah has ignored repeated requests to stop firing at Israel, including a recent ultimatum,” the official told the outlet. “Israel will never be expected to passively absorb attacks on its forces and civilians. This is not the Biden administration.”

Israel and Hezbollah have continued exchanging strikes despite a ceasefire the country reached with Lebanon in mid April. Israel has avoided targeting the group in Beirut or its vicinity as it continues negotiations with Lebanese authorities. However, that could change as hostilities escalate.

The official went on to note that Hezbollah fired more than 1,000 drones and over 700 rockets at Israel over the past eight days, a move largely seen as seeking to derail the negotiations with Lebanese authorities.

At the same time, Iran has demanded a halt to all hostilities in the country as a condition to end the war with the U.S. and Israel, leading Washington to exert pressure on the country to prevent it from causing a regional flare-up.

Responsible Statecraft also reported that Tehran has threatened to hit the United Arab Emirates if Israel continues to strike Lebanon, potentially targeting the country’s closest partner in the Gulf.