Netanyahu announces escalation: 'We are at war, we are not taking our foot off the gas'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared an escalation of military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, stating, "We are at war with Hezbollah and we will increase our attacks." He emphasized that the Israeli military is "not taking its foot off the gas" and is instead "pressing the gas even harder."

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We are at war with Hezbollah and we will increase our attacks.

The intensified actions occur amidst a fragile ceasefire established on April 16, which was intended to contain the broader Israeli-American conflict with Iran. However, both Israel and Hezbollah have continued to exchange fire, raising concerns about regional stability.

Adding to the tension, a U.S. official indicated that Hezbollah is disregarding warnings to cease its attacks on Israel. This defiance could potentially undermine ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran. Tehran has reportedly made the cessation of Israeli attacks in Lebanon a condition for its participation in these talks.

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not taking its foot off the gas

Netanyahu stated that he and President Trump agreed that Israel would retain the right to confront threats on all fronts, including Lebanon. The Israeli military has maintained a significant presence in southern Lebanon since the April ceasefire, conducting airstrikes on what they describe as Hezbollah positions and ground operations in areas controlled by the group.

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pressing the gas even harder