Israel will escalate strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, Netanyahu says

Published May 26, 2026 Updated May 26, 2026 12:17pm

Israel will escalate strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, as a US official said the militia had ignored warnings to halt firing at Israel in a conflict that could threaten US Iran negotiation, Reuters reports.

As the US and Iran appeared to draw closer to a potential deal on Sunday, Netanyahu said he and President Donald Trump agreed in a phone call that Israel would retain the ​right to confront perceived threats on all fronts, including Lebanon.

Netanyahu doubled down on that message, saying in a video released on Telegram: “We are at war with ​Hezbollah, and we will intensify our strikes.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a deeply controversial pledge on Tuesday to annex the Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank if re-elected in September 17 polls. — AFP/File
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a deeply controversial pledge on Tuesday to annex the Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank if re-elected in September 17 polls. — AFP/File

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