Israel declares it will “crush” Hezbollah.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently announced that the country's military will intensify its operations in Lebanon to put greater pressure on Hezbollah, amid escalating fighting along the border between the two countries despite a ceasefire that came into effect last month.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the country's military would increase its operations in Lebanon. Photo: AP.

Accordingly, Netanyahu stated that he had instructed the military to "further accelerate" the operation in Lebanon, while affirming that Israel would increase its firepower to "crush" Hezbollah. The Israeli leader also mentioned drone attacks from Hezbollah, saying that the military was studying countermeasures against the fiber optic drones used by the group.

According to the Israeli military, more than 70 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon were attacked on May 25. The airstrikes occurred amid reports that the US and Iran are pushing for talks aimed at de-escalating tensions in the Middle East, including the situation in Lebanon.

Reportedly, before expanding the operation, the Israeli army issued evacuation warnings for 10 villages in southern Lebanon. Israeli army spokesman Colonel Avichay Adraee said the forces were "forced to act with force" in response to what Israel described as violations by Hezbollah.

Israel has carried out a series of airstrikes targeting areas in eastern Lebanon. Photo: Reuters.

According to Lebanese media, Israel carried out a series of airstrikes targeting the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, as well as several areas in the south of the country, including areas near the city of Tyre. The attacks are believed to have killed at least three people.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed to have carried out attacks on three camps and a military facility in northern Israel in retaliation for Tel Aviv's military operations. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem also reiterated the group's opposition to direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, and declared that Hezbollah would not disarm.

On the same day, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun defended his decision to engage in dialogue with Israel but stressed that the demand for Israel's complete withdrawal from southern Lebanon was "non-negotiable."

According to the plan, Lebanon and Israel will continue negotiations in Washington in early June, following a meeting between military officials from both sides at the Pentagon scheduled for May 29.

Thu Uyen

Source: Reuters, AP

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/israel-tuyen-bo-se-de-bep-hezbollah-288877.htm