According to the United States, expansion will depend on an agreement between the parties; ceasefire began at 6pm this Thursday (16)
The 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel came into effect at 6pm this Thursday (16), an agreement that could be extended if there is an agreement between the parties, the United States reported. THE The purpose of a ceasefire is to allow negotiations towards a permanent security and peace agreement. “All parties recognize that Lebanon’s security forces have exclusive responsibility for Lebanon’s sovereignty and national defense; no other country or group claims to be the guarantor of Lebanon’s sovereignty,” the agreement says.
The two countries requested the United States to facilitate further direct negotiations between them to resolve all remaining issues, including the demarcation of the international land border, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.
“Israel and Lebanon affirm that the two countries are not at war and commit to engaging in direct negotiations in good faith, facilitated by the United States, with the objective of reaching a comprehensive agreement that guarantees lasting security, stability and peace between the two countries”, says the text released by the US State Department.
A Israel’s campaign in Lebanon has emerged as a major obstacle to securing a peace deal sought by US President Donald Trump to end the war against Iran that he launched with Israel in late February, which has disrupted global energy trade, driving up oil prices and risking further economic fallout.
With the ceasefire in effect, the Lebanese government will take measures to prevent the Hezbollah and all other non-state armed groups on its territory carry out attacks against Israelaccording to the text of the ceasefire agreement released by the US State Department. Israel can take necessary measures in self-defense against planned attacksimminent or ongoing during the ceasefire period, but agreed not to carry out any offensive military operations in Lebanon during the ten days.
Conversation between Lebanon and Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “will talk” with Lebanese President Joseph Aoundeclared this Thursday (16) the Israeli Minister of Innovation, Gila Gamliel, on military radio.
“The Prime Minister will talk for the first time with the President of Lebanon after so many years of total rupture in dialogue between the two countries. We hope that the initiative will finally lead to the prosperity and development of Lebanon as a State”, declared Gamliel, without revealing the date or how the conversation will take place.
On Tuesday (14), the United States had stated that Israel and Lebanon agree to direct negotiations after a meeting in Washington. “These negotiations have not taken place for over 40 years. They are happening now because we are very strong, and countries are coming to us — not just Lebanon,” Netanyahu said.
On Wednesday (15), the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that the “In negotiations with Lebanon there are two fundamental objectives: firstly, the dismantling of Hezbollah; secondly, a sustainable peace (…) achieved through force”, declared the Prime Minister after the two direct in decades.
