Israel Plays Down Allies Advice for Ceasefire with Hezbollah, Bombards Beirut

Defying allies’ advice for a ceasefire with Hezbollah, Israel on Thursday bombarded Lebanon that threatened possibility of a spread of the war. The Israeli military also staged a ground exercise in its own territory bordering Lebanon, news organisations reported.

The airstrikes shook Beirut even as the Israeli military said that it carried out precise attacks in the southern suburbs of the city, which is the stronghold of Hezbollah.

Israeli allies, including the U.S. have been advising Israel to go for ceasefire with Hezbollah, but with Thursday airstrikes targeting Beirut the allies’ proposal for halt of the war has been negated. "There will be no ceasefire in the north," Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on X. "We will continue to fight against the Hezbollah terrorist organization with all our strength until victory and the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes."

Nations like the U.S., France and others, had been advising Israel for an immediate ceasefire with Hezbollah.