Israel strikes Lebanon's Hezbollah with 'superior force'
September 27, 20243 Mins Read
International Desk: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the country's army to continue fighting the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah with "superior force" despite calls for a ceasefire by the United States and other allies.

At least 92 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Thursday, Lebanon's health ministry said. Hundreds more have been killed as attacks have escalated there since last Monday.

Hezbollah has confirmed that the head of its drone unit, Mohammad Suroor, was killed in an airstrike on a building south of the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

All-out war between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah is looming as the intensity of Israeli attacks on the country has increased dramatically since Monday.

As the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues to grow, a total of 12 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, have proposed a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon.

The proposal initially showed a glimmer of hope, when Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, said his country was open to any proposal.

But Israeli politicians rejected that on Thursday.

Benjamin Netanyahu, arriving in New York that day to attend the United Nations General Assembly, said Israel will not stop its operations in Lebanon until it reaches its goals. "One of the goals is to return Israeli citizens to their homes in the northern part of the country."

But Mr. The White House later said the cease-fire proposal was coordinated with Israel, despite Netanyahu's insistence that the war would continue.

In his speech in New York, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called for an immediate ceasefire to resolve the ongoing conflict in Lebanon.

He said, this conflict can turn into a war. Then "no one can control it."

The war in Gaza that began a year ago led to hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Then about 70 thousand Israelis were displaced from the northern part of the country.

According to the United Nations, about 90,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon since last Monday. Another 100,000 people have already fled their homes.

Hezbollah has already fired 50 rockets and 80 missiles into northern Israel.

Israel's military says it carried out strikes on Hezbollah bases in southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley throughout the day on Thursday. In addition, the Israeli forces also attacked the Syria-Lebanon border. They say that the purpose of the attack on this border is to cut off the weapons supply route for Hezbollah.

Israel's military says it has intercepted a missile fired from Yemen.

Israel's army chief, Lt. Gen. Harji Halevi, said Wednesday that Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon could pave the way for the Israeli Defense Forces to enter "enemy land."

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Israeli Air Force Commander Major General Tomar Barr asked troops to be ready to assist in ground operations.

Meanwhile, Qatar has called for an end to attacks on Lebanon. Majed-Al-Ansari, the spokesman of the country's government, said that they are receiving dire information from Lebanon. There are incidents in Lebanon where entire families are targeted. Such atrocities were carried out in Gaza.

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US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin meets with British and Australian foreign ministers in London. Mr. Austin said there is a risk of all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah, but a diplomatic solution to the crisis is still possible.

"Israel says its goal is to bring its citizens back to their homes in the northern part of the country. I believe, this work can be done very quickly through diplomatic means,” said Mr. Austin.

Meanwhile, Israel's defense ministry said on Thursday evening that it has received nearly nine billion dollars in aid from the United States for its ongoing military operations.

According to a statement, $3.5 billion in aid received from the US is for "military equipment necessary for war" and $5.2 billion for Israel's air defenses, including Iron Dome and advanced laser systems. BBC

UN Secretary General expressed full support to the interim government