The United States, a key ally of Israel, has been leading efforts to broker a ceasefire in Lebanon, with France also involved.
Netanyahu emphasized that Israel would maintain its “full military freedom of action” in coordination with the US, noting that Israel is fighting a multi-front war involving Gaza, the West Bank, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Iran.
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Despite the announcement, the Israeli military conducted airstrikes on the heart of Beirut, while also reporting that around 15 projectiles had entered Israeli airspace from Lebanon.
The war between Israel and Hezbollah intensified after nearly a year of limited cross-border exchanges, with Hezbollah claiming it was acting in support of Hamas, which launched the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, sparking the war in Gaza.
At least 3,823 people have been killed in Lebanon since October 2023, mostly since September, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. On the Israeli side, the conflict has claimed the lives of at least 82 soldiers and 47 civilians.
Netanyahu argued that a ceasefire would allow Israel to focus on countering the “Iranian threat” and intensifying its efforts against Hamas in Gaza.
He said that with Hezbollah out of the picture, Hamas would be left isolated and Israel could ramp up its operations to free hostages taken by Hamas during the October attack.
Of the 251 hostages captured, 97 are still held in Gaza, including 34 whom the Israeli army has declared dead.
However, the proposal has sparked opposition from within Israel. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who is part of Israel’s security cabinet, called the proposal “a historic mistake” and vowed to oppose it.
He criticized the ceasefire as a return to a “silence for silence” concept, warning that it would not achieve the goal of the war, which he said was to ensure the safety of Israeli residents in the north who have been displaced due to the threat of Hezbollah rocket fire.
Opposition leader and former Prime Minister Yair Lapid also criticized Netanyahu’s approach, arguing that no agreement with Hezbollah would undo the mistakes made during the conflict. Lapid called for a focus on securing a hostage deal and bringing Israeli citizens home.
In northern Israel, where the threat from Hezbollah has displaced tens of thousands of people, David Azoulay, the mayor of Metula, expressed his opposition to the ceasefire proposal, calling it an insufficient solution for long-term peace.
He refused to attend a meeting with Netanyahu, saying he would not be a “background character” in decisions he deemed already made.
A flash poll published by Channel 12 found that 37% of Israelis supported the proposed ceasefire, while 32% opposed it, and 31% were unsure.
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