After meeting with his security cabinet, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he will present the “proposal for a ceasefire in Lebanon” for final approval before the full cabinet. He noted that the duration of the ceasefire would depend on developments in Lebanon.
Netanyahu emphasized that Israel would continue to maintain full freedom of action against Hezbollah in Lebanon, in coordination with the United States. He declared, “If Hezbollah violates the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” adding, “If it tries to rebuild the terror infrastructure near the border, we will attack. If it fires a rocket, if it digs a tunnel, if it brings in a truck with missiles, we will attack.” He assured that Israel would respond with force to any violation: “To every violation, we will respond with force,” he said, asserting, “A good deal is one that is enforced, and we will enforce it.”
Netanyahu also responded to critics who questioned Israel’s ability to resume fighting after a ceasefire, recalling similar doubts raised before the weeklong hostage-for-ceasefire deal in Gaza last year. He said, “After all this, maybe it’s time to start believing. Believing in our determination, in our way, in our dedication to victory.”
The Prime Minister outlined three reasons for agreeing to the ceasefire. The first was to focus on the Iranian threat, though he chose not to elaborate. The second reason was to allow Israeli troops to rest and replenish weapon supplies, noting there had been significant delays in weapons shipments. While not mentioning the Biden administration by name, Netanyahu hinted at the prospect of these delays being resolved with the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House, stating, “And that delay will soon be released.”
The third reason, according to Netanyahu, was to separate the northern and southern fronts and isolate Hamas. “With Hezbollah out of the picture, Hamas is left alone in the campaign,” he explained, adding that this would increase pressure on the group and assist in the “sacred mission of freeing our hostages.”
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