Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese village of Khiam on September 25, 2024.  (Photo by AFP)

Tel Aviv, September 26 (RHC)-- Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz has rejected proposals for a ceasefire in Lebanon after the U.S. and France called for a 21-day halt in the fighting to allow time to reach a diplomatic solution.

“There will be no ceasefire in the north.  We will continue to fight… with all our strength until victory and the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes,” he said on X.

Earlier, Israel’s PM Netanyahu said he has instructed the military to keep fighting and has not yet given his response to the ceasefire proposal.

In related news, Knesset member Gideon Saar has urged the Israeli military to intensify air raids throughout Lebanon, including Beirut, arguing that recent slowdowns are strategic “mistakes.”

He said that any letup in attacks allows Hezbollah to rebuild, complicating Israel’s war plans.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah and the Lebanese have been clear that they do not see the United States as an honest broker, given that weapons are still reaching Israel and being used in Gaza and Lebanon.

Media reports say that on Hezbollah’s part, there has always been a ceasefire proposal on the table.  If there is a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, they will cease the hostilities.  This has always been the deal since October 8.

Observers note that ceasefire talks has been going on for months in Gaza, but every time they get close, the Israeli prime minister ups the ante and the talks fall apart.

The Lebanese government has yet to react to the talks of a possible ceasefire and perhaps they will do that later through their UN ambassador in New York.