According to the news agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the truce in the war with Hezbollah
The presidents of the United States, Joe Biden (Democratic Party), and France, Emmanuel Macron (Renaissance, center), are expected to announce a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon soon, according to a report from 4 Lebanese sources to the agency .
John Kirby, national security spokesman, said the U.S. government is “close”but that “nothing is finished until everything is done.” The French presidency stated that discussions on a ceasefire had made significant progress. The Israeli government this Tuesday (26.Nov.2024) to approve a truce agreement with Hezbollah.
The office of Israel’s prime minister, (Likud, right), did not comment on reports that the country and Lebanon had agreed on the text of an agreement. A senior Israeli official, however, told Reuters that the government intended to approve the text at the meeting this Tuesday (Nov 26).
The possible diplomatic breakthrough comes after several Israeli air strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, during recent weeks.
Last week, airstrikes by the Israeli Armed Forces in Beirut killed at least 29 people. In response, Hezbollah launched 250 missiles into Israeli territory last Sunday (Nov 24). According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, more than 3,750 people died in the country last year.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated that differences between the two countries have decreased significantly, but that there are still steps that need to be followed so that an agreement between Israel and Lebanon can be reached.
“Often, the last stages of an agreement are the most difficult because the most difficult issues are left until the end”he said. “We are pushing as hard as we can.”stated.
Danny Danon, Israeli ambassador to the United States, said that Israel would continue to maintain its ability to attack southern Lebanon even in the face of any agreement that could be reached between the countries. Previously, Lebanon opposed the text that allowed Israel to have this right.
Elias Bou Saab, vice-president of the Lebanese parliament, told Reuters that “there were no more serious obstacles” to begin implementing a US-proposed ceasefire with Israel, “unless Netanyahu changes his mind.”. He declared that the agreement would entail Israeli military withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the departure of regular Lebanese army troops stationed near the border between the 2 countries within 60 days.
