Lebanese FM tells Al Jazeera: Israel sent a message that it doesn’t want a ceasefire, even after Gaza truce

Lebanon’s foreign minister tells Al Jazeera that Israel has relayed a message to Beirut that it does not want a ceasefire, regardless of whether it reaches a hostage-truce deal with Hamas in Gaza.

“Israel sent us a message through intermediaries, making it clear that they are not interested in a ceasefire in Lebanon, even after a ceasefire is reached in Gaza. Israel is determined to continue the war in the north,” Abdullah Bouhabib tells the Qatari network.

Hezbollah-led forces have attacked Israeli communities and military posts along the border with Lebanon on a near-daily basis since October 8, with the group saying it is doing so to support Gaza amid war ongoing there since October 7.

So far, the skirmishes have resulted in 26 civilian deaths on the Israeli side, as well as the deaths of 20 IDF soldiers and reservists. There have also been several attacks from Syria, without any injuries.

Hezbollah has named 433 members who have been killed by Israel during the ongoing skirmishes, mostly in Lebanon but some also in Syria. Another 76 operatives from other terror groups, a Lebanese soldier, and dozens of civilians have also been killed.

Israel has warned it can no longer tolerate Hezbollah’s presence along its border following the October 7 atrocities and has warned that should a diplomatic solution not be reached, it will turn to military action to push Hezbollah northward.