On Wednesday, PM Benjamin Netanyahu, whose military adventurism in Iran hasn’t gone according to plan, intensified Israel’s bombing campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, carrying out its deadliest attack so far, killing at least 250 people. Iran and mediator Pakistan maintain that Lebanon was part of the deal; the US and Israel have denied this. US President Donald Trump must rein in Netanyahu, the only player who could arguably benefit politically from a prolonged conflict. It did so in June last year, when Israel struck Iran despite a ceasefire in their 12-day war. But Netanyahu, who has earned himself a reputation as a serial disruptor of settlements in recent years, has said that, despite the ceasefire, Israel will continue to strike Hezbollah “wherever necessary”.

Source: Indian Express April 10, 2026 06:57 UTC