Israeli PM says to escalate operations against Hezbollah

JERUSALEM, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested on Sunday that Israel may escalate its actions against the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

"The current situation will not continue," Netanyahu told the ministers at the start of his weekly cabinet meeting. "This requires a shift in the balance of power on our northern border with Lebanon. We will do whatever it takes to return our residents safely to their homes."

"I am committed to this, the government is committed to this, and we will not settle for less," Netanyahu added.

On Sunday morning, Israel fired artillery into southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah forces launched around 40 rockets and a drone into northern Israel, according to a statement from the Israeli military.

The military said its air defense systems intercepted some of the projectiles, while the rest fell in open areas in the Upper Galilee and the northern part of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights.

Fires broke out in the affected areas, and Fire and Rescue Services were dispatched to extinguish them, it said.

Simultaneously, an explosive unmanned aerial vehicle was identified crossing from Lebanon into Israel, falling near the town of Metula.

No injuries were reported.

Cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has been ongoing since Oct. 8, 2023, when the Israeli-Palestinian conflict erupted. Hezbollah stated that its attacks on Israel were intended to support Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.