What was the point of Israel’s surprise mass strikes on Lebanon that killed more than 300 people and drew widespread international condemnation? Netanyahu’s justification for such a horrific attack on civilian centres hours after the ceasefire had been announced appeared thin at least. View image in fullscreen Netanyahu’s insistence of Israel’s right to continue striking Lebanon suggested the attacks were aimed at spoiling the ceasefire he had argued against. The president, Masoud Pezeshkian, said the Israeli strikes on Lebanon violated the ceasefire agreement and would render negotiations meaningless. The Soufan Center thinktank in New York said: “Even if Lebanon was formally outside the deal, the scale of Israel’s strikes was likely to be viewed as escalatory, nonetheless.

Source: The Guardian April 09, 2026 14:58 UTC