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Israeli PM Netanyahu Says Nasrallah’s Death Is Not Enough to End Middle East Conflict

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) for killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike but emphasized that his death alone will not be enough to resolve the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Speaking on Saturday, Netanyahu acknowledged Israel’s significant achievements against Hezbollah but reiterated the need for further efforts.

“We have some great achievements, but we haven’t completed the task at hand yet,” Netanyahu said. He added that the devastating blows inflicted by the IDF on Hezbollah would not be enough to bring lasting peace.

Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah for over 30 years, was killed in a targeted airstrike on Friday in Beirut, Lebanon. Hezbollah confirmed his death in a statement, honoring him as a “martyr” and acknowledging his role in shaping the group’s powerful military and political presence in the region. The airstrike also claimed the life of Ali Karki, Hezbollah’s commander of the southern front.

The death of Nasrallah is seen as a monumental blow to Hezbollah, a group backed by Iran that has long been a formidable force in the region. Lebanese political analyst Ronnie Chatah commented, “This is, by far, the deepest psychological blow to this organization since its inception. Hezbollah cannot be the same without Hassan Nasrallah.”

U.S. President Joe Biden weighed in on Nasrallah’s death, calling it “a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians.” Biden also reiterated his support for Israel while advocating for a ceasefire and further de-escalation of tensions in the region.

Nasrallah’s assassination is expected to have significant political and military consequences, both locally and regionally. Firas Maksad, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, remarked that this development would likely lead to further polarization within Lebanon and heighten tensions between Israel and Iran. “Nasrallah’s killing is emblematic of a head-on confrontation between Israel and Iran over the future of Lebanon and the Levant,” he said.

As the conflict continues to unfold, Israel’s leaders are preparing for potential retaliatory actions from Iran, although some analysts believe this could present an opportunity for a ceasefire in Gaza.

US and Allies Call for 21-Day Ceasefire Along Israel-Lebanon Border After UN Talks

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The United States, France, and other allies have called for a 21-day ceasefire along the Israel-Lebanon border following intense discussions at the United Nations on Wednesday. The ceasefire would apply to the “Blue Line,” the boundary between Israel and Lebanon, and aims to open the door for potential diplomatic resolutions, according to a senior Biden administration official.

In a joint statement, signed by countries including Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union, the allies urged both Israel and Lebanon to endorse the ceasefire. The situation on the Israel-Lebanon border has grown increasingly volatile, with Israel expanding its airstrikes, resulting in at least 72 fatalities and over 220 wounded, according to Lebanese health ministry reports. A potential ground assault has raised concerns that the conflict could escalate into a broader regional war.

Efforts to reduce hostilities have been ongoing, with Washington engaging both Israel and Lebanon in diplomatic talks. President Biden, along with his allies, views the ceasefire as a crucial step toward broader peace efforts. The U.S. has been focused on this issue in discussions with world leaders at the UN General Assembly this week.

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, welcomed the idea of a ceasefire, though he emphasized that any peace must address the root causes of violence, including Iran’s influence in the region. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, voiced support for Hezbollah and warned that Iran would not stand by if the conflict escalates further in Lebanon.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati also welcomed the ceasefire call but expressed concern over whether Israel would comply with international resolutions.

The conflict has pressured the Biden administration, particularly with U.S. elections approaching. Tensions have mounted following an Israeli airstrike that targeted Hezbollah leadership in Lebanon, with the conflict in Gaza further complicating the situation.

Fear of ‘Lost Generation’ as Gaza School Year Begins with All Classes Shut Amid Ongoing War

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The new school year in Gaza began under grim circumstances on Monday, with all schools closed due to 11 months of relentless war and no signs of a ceasefire. As the fighting raged on, Israel issued new evacuation orders for northern Gaza residents in response to rocket fire from the territory.

Umm Zaki, a mother of five, recounted how her son Moataz, who was supposed to start 10th grade, instead woke up in a tent in central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah and had to fetch water from over a kilometer away. “Usually, this would be a day of celebration, seeing the children in their new uniforms, dreaming of becoming doctors and engineers,” she said. “Today, all we hope is for the war to end before we lose any of them.”

The Palestinian Education Ministry reported that all schools in Gaza remained shut, with 90% of them damaged or destroyed in Israel’s ongoing offensive, launched after Hamas’ attack on Israeli towns last October. Meanwhile, the U.N.’s Palestinian aid agency, UNRWA, has converted many of Gaza’s schools into emergency shelters for displaced families.

Juliette Touma, UNRWA’s Director of Communications, expressed concern about the long-term impact on Gaza’s children, warning of a “lost generation” vulnerable to exploitation, including child marriage, labor, and recruitment into armed groups. More than 625,000 students are currently missing school, alongside 58,000 six-year-olds who should have started first grade this year.

In an effort to support children’s mental health, UNRWA launched a back-to-learning program in 45 of its shelters, offering activities such as games, drama, arts, music, and sports.

Nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced multiple times. In the latest evacuation notice, Israel warned residents of northern Gaza to leave their homes due to continued rocket fire. The Israeli military reiterated that the area was considered a “dangerous combat zone.”

The United Nations is also urging residents to have their children vaccinated against polio amidst the violence, following Gaza’s first polio case in 25 years. A campaign targeting 640,000 children is underway, with 450,000 vaccinated as of Monday.

The ongoing conflict, which began with Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, has so far claimed over 40,900 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Both sides continue to accuse one another of obstructing ceasefire negotiations that could potentially end the violence and secure the release of hostages.