Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called on Israel to stop its military attacks on Lebanon, expressing concern that Israel intensified its campaign — including strikes on densely populated areas — after a ceasefire came into effect in the broader Middle East conflict. Albanese also urged Hezbollah to cease attacks on Israel, reiterating his government's position that any ceasefire must extend to Lebanon. Australia's military surveillance aircraft, a Wedgetail deployed to the United Arab Emirates (a Gulf state hosting several Western military assets), will remain in the region for an additional four weeks, though Albanese stressed the aircraft is not involved in combat operations.