‘We Need To Keep Going In Lebanon’: Why Netanyahu Cannot Stop Fighting

Last Updated:April 10, 2026, 13:14 IST

Israel carried out a large-scale strike in Lebanon, targeting around 100 locations within minutes of ceasefire.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showed his intent to continue military operations in Lebanon even as a broader ceasefire began to take shape, pointing to Israel’s continued focus on Hezbollah and the limits of the US-Iran truce. Follow Live Updates Here 

According to a Wall Street Journal report, Netanyahu conveyed his position during discussions around the ceasefire, saying, “We need to keep going in Lebanon." Though Israel was not formally part of the negotiations, he pushed for continued operations.

Soon after, Israel carried out a large-scale strike in Lebanon, targeting around 100 locations within minutes. The escalation prompted a response from Iran, which launched rockets and drones across the region, putting immediate pressure on the fragile ceasefire.

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Hezbollah Remains Central Target

Netanyahu has repeatedly said Hezbollah continues to pose a security threat to northern Israel. “We are continuing to strike Hezbollah with force, precision, and determination," he said on X, adding that Israel would act “wherever necessary" until security is restored.

The Israeli military said operations in southern Lebanon are ongoing, with strikes targeting crossings and infrastructure used by Hezbollah. It also reported attacks on storage sites, launchers and command centres linked to the group.

Lebanon’s health ministry said more than 200 people were killed and over 1,000 injured in the latest strikes. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said “more than 200 terrorists were eliminated yesterday," taking the total to over 1,400 in the current campaign.

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‘Sold Us Illusions’: Opposition Slams Netanyahu Over Ceasefire

According to The Jerusalem Post, Israeli opposition leaders accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of failing to meet war objectives and misleading the public after the Iran ceasefire, with former PM Naftali Bennett saying the leadership “sold us illusions" and had not achieved key goals such as dismantling Iran’s nuclear programme.

The report mentioned that critics, including Yair Lapid and Yair Golan, said Netanyahu “failed politically" and relied on “spin, half-truths, and lies," though some leaders later backed his move to open talks with Lebanon on Hezbollah disarmament.

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Strategy Under Scrutiny

Netanyahu has framed the conflict as part of a broader effort against Iran and its regional allies, including Hezbollah and Hamas. Since October 2023, Israel has expanded operations across multiple fronts, including Gaza and Lebanon.

Earlier, in a televised address, he said, “Iran is weaker than ever, and Israel is stronger than ever. This is the bottom line of this campaign, up to this moment."

However, people in Israel are raising questions about the absence of a clear long-term outcome despite sustained military action. Critics as well as opposition have argued that battlefield gains have yet to translate into a stable end-state.

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Ceasefire Limits And Ongoing Conflict

Despite the US-Iran ceasefire, Israel has maintained that operations in Lebanon are outside its scope. Hezbollah has continued retaliatory strikes, including rocket fire towards northern Israel.

Netanyahu has also indicated readiness for further escalation. “We are prepared to return to combat at any moment required. Our finger remains on the trigger," he said.

While Israel has reported significant damage to Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure, analysts say Tehran retains the capacity to respond and influence developments across the region.

The continued fighting in Lebanon reflects the broader challenges facing ceasefire efforts, with competing objectives and unresolved tensions keeping the situation volatile.

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