Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu announces ceasefire with Lebanon
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Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said on Tuesday he was ready to implement a ceasefire deal with Lebanon. He added he would “respond forcefully to any violation” by Hezbollah, Reuters reports.
In a television address, Netanyahu said he would put the ceasefire accord to his full cabinet later in the evening.
Israeli TV reported that the more restricted security cabinet had earlier approved the deal.
The accord, clearing the way for an end to a conflict that has killed thousands of people since it was ignited by the Gaza war last year, was expected to take effect on Wednesday.
Israeli approval of the deal would pave the way for a ceasefire declaration by US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.
This is according to four senior Lebanese sources who spoke to Reuters on Monday.
Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, hostilities raged as Israel dramatically ramped up its campaign of air strikes in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon, with health authorities reporting at least 18 killed.
A Hezbollah Parliament member in Lebanon, Hassan Fadlallah, said the country faced “dangerous, sensitive hours” during the wait for a possible ceasefire announcement.
However, there was no indication that a truce in Lebanon would hasten a ceasefire and hostage-release deal in devastated Gaza. Israel is still battling the Palestinian group, Hamas in Gaza.
The Lebanon ceasefire agreement requires Israeli troops to withdraw from south Lebanon. It also required that Lebanon deploy its army to the region, officials say.
Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the border south of the Litani River.
Lebanese Foreign Minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, said the Lebanese army would be ready to have at least 5,000 troops deployed in southern Lebanon as Israeli troops withdraw.
He also said the United States could play a role in rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by Israeli strikes.
Israel demands effective UN enforcement of an eventual ceasefire with Lebanon. Israel will show “zero tolerance” toward any infraction, Defence Minister, Israel Katz, said on Tuesday.
In the hours before the announcement, Israeli strikes smashed more of Beirut’s densely-populated southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold.
The Israeli military said one barrage of strikes had hit 20 targets in the city in just 120 seconds, killing at least seven people and injuring 37, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.
Israel issued its biggest evacuation warning yet, telling civilians to leave 20 locations.
Israeli military spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, said the air force was conducting a “widespread attack” on Hezbollah targets across the city.
Hezbollah has kept up rocket fire into Israel.
The UN Rights chief voiced concern about the escalation of bloodshed in Lebanon.
His office said Israeli air strikes had killed nearly 100 people in recent days, including women, children and medics. (MEMO)
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