Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to escalate military operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, rejecting calls from the United Kingdom for de-escalation. The announcement marks a significant deterioration in regional stability, with diplomatic efforts appearing increasingly sidelined.
Speaking from the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu stated that Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) would “intensify strikes” targeting Hezbollah infrastructure, claiming the group had “crossed red lines” with recent cross-border attacks. The Prime Minister’s office later clarified that operations would focus on “precision strikes” against rocket launch sites and command centres.
The UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, had earlier urged “maximum restraint” from both sides during a phone call with his Israeli counterpart, Eli Cohen. A Foreign Office readout described the conversation as “frank”, with Cleverly emphasising the need to avoid a “full-scale conflict” that could destabilise the region. The UK has also reiterated its support for UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah and a cessation of hostilities.
Hezbollah, in a statement issued through its Al-Manar television network, warned that any escalation would be met with “unprecedented retaliation”. The group has been accused by Israeli intelligence of acquiring precision-guided munitions, raising fears of a more sophisticated threat to Israeli population centres.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported an increase in violations of the Blue Line, the de facto border between Israel and Lebanon. In a press briefing, UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti confirmed that peacekeepers had observed “exchanges of fire” and urged both parties to adhere to ceasefire agreements.
Analysts suggest that Netanyahu’s hardline stance is partly motivated by domestic political pressures. His coalition government faces mounting criticism from right-wing factions over perceived weakness in responding to Hezbollah’s provocations. However, the decision to intensify strikes risks drawing Israel into a prolonged confrontation that could overwhelm its air defence systems and strain military resources.
International reaction has been cautious. The United States, through State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, called for “de-escalation and dialogue”, while stopping short of condemning Israel’s actions. The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, warned that the situation was “highly volatile” and urged both sides to respect international law.
The escalation comes amid a broader regional context, including stalled negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme and heightened tensions between the US and Iran-aligned militias in Iraq and Syria. Hezbollah’s patron, Iran, has not issued a direct threat but has expressed solidarity with the group’s “right to defend itself”.
For now, the path to diplomacy appears blocked. UK diplomatic sources suggest that further initiatives will depend on a de-escalation on the ground, which seems unlikely given Netanyahu’s latest pledge. The region waits to see whether this round of fighting will remain contained or spiral into a wider war.
