FLASH
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Israel has rejected ceasefire proposals with Hezbollah - the Lebanese group designated a terrorist organization by the United States - from allies, including Washington, who have called for a three-week ceasefire to try to find a diplomatic solution to avoid the expansion of the war.
"There will be no truce in the north," Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz wrote in X. "We will continue the fight against the Hezbollah terrorist organization with all our might until victory and the safe return of northerners to their homes."
The statements dampened hopes for a quick resolution after Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed optimism that a ceasefire could be reached soon in Lebanon, where hundreds of thousands of people have been driven from their homes by the violence.
World leaders have expressed concern that the conflict - along with Israel's war in Gaza against the Palestinian group designated as a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union, Hamas - could quickly escalate.
The fiercest fighting in almost two decades between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah has raised fears that Israel could launch a ground offensive in Lebanon.
The US, France and several other allies have called for a 21-day ceasefire along the Israel-Lebanon border. They also supported a ceasefire in Gaza.
Israel has launched its worst airstrikes against Lebanon since the 2006 war and more than 600 people have been killed since last week.
Hezbollah has also fired hundreds of rockets into Israel and for the first time fired a rocket at Tel Aviv, although Israel said the rocket caused little damage.
A day earlier, Israel's army chief mentioned the possibility of a ground offensive in Lebanon as Israeli troops were told to get ready.
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have been high for 11 months, since the war in Gaza began. Since then, the parties have exchanged fire on the border almost on a daily basis./ REL
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