News brief

Israel to stay the course on strikes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sept. 26 vowed to carry out “full force” strikes against Hezbollah until it ceases firing rockets across the border, dimming hopes for a cease-fire proposal put forth by U.S. and European officials. Mr. Netanyahu spoke after arriving in New York for the annual gathering of world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly, where U.S. and European officials were putting heavy pressure on both sides of the conflict to accept a proposed 21-day halt in the fighting to give time for diplomacy and avert an all-out war.

Israel’s unusually heavy bombardment of Hezbollah positions in Lebanon puts militia leader Hassan Nasrallah in an awkward spot, balancing his credibility with his desire to avoid full-scale war.