Netanyahu vows to use ‘full force’ against Hezbollah and dims ceasefire hopes

Nearly 700 people have been killed in Lebanon this week as Israel dramatically escalated strikes, saying it is targeting Hezbollah’s military capacities

A man carries a damaged bicycle at the site of an Israeli air strike in Saksakieh, south Lebanon (Mohammed Zaatari/AP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to carry out “full force” strikes against Hezbollah until it ceases firing rockets across the border, dimming hopes for a ceasefire proposal put forth by US and European officials.

Israel carried out a new strike in the Lebanese capital, which it said killed a senior Hezbollah commander, and the militant group launched dozens of rockets into Israel. Tens of thousands of Israeli and Lebanese people living near their countries’ borders have been displaced by the fighting.