Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Thursday that Israel will continue to strike Iran-backed Hezbollah "wherever necessary" in Lebanon. This vow follows intense Israeli airstrikes that pummelled the country the previous day.
Netanyahu emphasized on X, "Anyone who acts against Israeli civilians - we will strike them." He further indicated that strikes would continue until security is fully restored to Israel's northern residents. The Israeli military confirmed ongoing ground operations in southern Lebanon and reported striking key crossings used by Hezbollah for weapons movement, along with approximately 10 weapons storage facilities and command centers.
The Lebanese health ministry reported over 200 people killed and more than 1,000 wounded in the Israeli strikes. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that "more than 200 terrorists were eliminated" in the past day, bringing the total eliminated in the campaign to over 1,400. He added that Hezbollah is seeking a ceasefire under pressure from its Iranian patrons, fearing an Israeli offensive.
In response to the strikes, which the Lebanese prime minister's office designated a "national day of mourning," Hezbollah announced it fired rockets towards Israel. This action followed a reported two-week truce agreement between the US and Iran aimed at de-escalating the broader regional conflict.