Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to present a United States-mediated ceasefire proposal with Hezbollah in Lebanon to his government for approval.
In a televised address, Netanyahu confirmed his intention to submit the truce plan to ministers, though he did not specify its duration. He clarified that the ceasefire’s length would depend on developments in Lebanon.
“If Hezbollah violates the agreement and attempts to rearm, we will strike. In full coordination with the United States, we are maintaining full military freedom of action,” Netanyahu declared.
Despite discussions of a truce, the Israeli military launched strikes on central Beirut as the Israeli army reported 15 projectiles entering its airspace from Lebanon.
The escalation followed nearly a year of cross-border exchanges initiated by Hezbollah, which claimed to be supporting Hamas after the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that triggered the Gaza conflict. The ongoing hostilities in Lebanon have resulted in at least 3,823 fatalities, predominantly since September 2023, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. In Israel, the fighting has claimed 82 soldiers and 47 civilian lives.
Netanyahu emphasized that the ceasefire would enable Israel to intensify efforts against Hamas in Gaza and focus on the broader Iranian threat. “With Hezbollah out of the picture, Hamas is left on its own. We will increase our pressure on Hamas and that will help us in our sacred mission of releasing our hostages,” he stated.
During the 2023 Hamas attack, 251 hostages were taken, of which 97 remain in captivity in Gaza, with 34 declared dead by the Israeli military.