Live updates: Israeli bombings kill more than 700 in Lebanon as Netanyahu rejects ceasefire

More than 700 people have been killed in Lebanon by Israeli airstrikes as Benjamin Netanyahu ignores calls from world leaders for a ceasefire.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ignored international calls for an urgent ceasefire as Lebanon’s death toll surpasses 700.

The United States, European Union and other allies including several Arab states issued a joint call for a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon after Israeli air strikes have killed hundreds, injured thousands and displaced tens of thousands in Lebanon this week.

In response to the ceasefire proposal, his office said: “The news about a ceasefire – not true. This is an American-French proposal, to which the prime minister did not even respond.

“The prime minister instructed the IDF to continue the fighting with full force, and according to the plans presented to him. Also, the fighting in Gaza will continue until all the goals of the war are achieved.”

However, the White House rejected Israel’s claims they weren’t on board with the proposal, and if fact they had coordinated a ceasefire plan that the US and France presented a day earlier.

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the US “had every reason to believe that in the drafting of [the statement] and in the delivery of it, that the Israelis were fully informed and fully aware of every word in it.

“We wouldn’t have done it if we didn’t believe that it would be received with the seriousness with which it was composed.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said it would be “a mistake” for Mr Netanyahu to refuse a ceasefire and that he would have to take “responsibility” for a regional escalation of violence.

“The proposal that was made is a solid proposal,” Mr Macron said.

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Originally published as Live updates: Israeli bombings kill more than 700 in Lebanon as Netanyahu rejects ceasefire