Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday recommended that his Cabinet approve a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, marking a potential end to nearly 14 months of conflict linked to the ongoing Gaza war.
Ahead of the Cabinet meeting, Israel escalated its bombardment of southern Lebanon, resulting in at least 23 casualties, according to local sources. The military also issued a wave of evacuation warnings, signaling a final attempt to strike Hezbollah before the ceasefire takes effect.
In a televised address, Netanyahu outlined the proposal, stating that it would be presented to Cabinet ministers later in the day for approval. He highlighted recent military successes against Israel’s adversaries in the region, claiming that a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and refocus Israel’s efforts on Iran, Hezbollah’s main supporter. Netanyahu also warned that Israel would retaliate if Hezbollah violates the ceasefire.”
If Hezbollah breaches the agreement and attempts to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will strike with full force.”While the details of the ceasefire remain unclear, including its effective date, the deal would not affect Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza. Lebanese officials have confirmed Hezbollah’s support for the ceasefire, which, if approved, would mark a significant step toward de-escalating the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
The proposal calls for an initial two-month halt in hostilities, during which Hezbollah would withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon. Israeli troops would return to their side of the border, and thousands of Lebanese troops along with U.N. peacekeepers would be deployed in the south. An international panel led by the U.S. would monitor compliance by all parties.
However, the deal’s implementation remains uncertain. Israel has insisted on the right to take action if Hezbollah violates the terms, a provision that Lebanese officials have rejected. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that Israel would strike Hezbollah if the U.N. peacekeeping force, known as UNIFIL, fails to enforce the ceasefire effectively.
Lebanese PM Calls for Immediate Ceasefire Implementation
Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged the international community to act swiftly to halt Israeli aggression and implement an immediate ceasefire. His statement came after Netanyahu announced that Israel’s security Cabinet would discuss and likely approve the ceasefire agreement later in the day.
Mikati condemned the intensification of Israeli airstrikes on Beirut, which continued even as Netanyahu’s ceasefire proposal was being considered. “This wave of strikes reaffirms that the Israeli enemy has no regard for any law or consideration,” Mikati said, calling on the international community to take urgent action to end the violence. His remarks came just before a strike hit Beirut’s central Hamra commercial district.
The outcome of the ceasefire proposal remains uncertain, with both sides holding firm on key aspects of the agreement. The situation continues to evolve as the international community weighs in on the path to peace.
