United States and Israel flags. Vector illustration.
Shortly after adamantly declaring that the IDF would not back down in the face of news of an impending cease-fire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Thursday that he “shares the aim” of the diplomatic effort spearheaded by the United States to put an end to the war with Hezbollah.
“It’s vital to make a few clarifications regarding the U.S.-led cease-fire initiative due to a lot of inaccurate reporting.” The United States informed Israel earlier this week that it intends to propose a cease-fire in Lebanon alongside other international and regional partners, according to Netanyahu.
“Israel is in favor of the U.S.-led initiative’s goals of facilitating the safe and peaceful return of individuals living near our northern border to their homes. The premier went on, “Israel values American efforts in this area because American involvement is critical to furthering stability and security in the region.
“Our teams got together [on Thursday] to talk about the American initiative and how we might work toward our common objective of getting people back home safely. In the upcoming days, we’ll carry on those conversations,” he continued.
Netanyahu has before denied rumors that Israel was ready to reach a cease-fire agreement with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“It is false to report that there is a cease-fire. The prime minister has not even replied to this American-French plan, according to his office, which was released on Friday while Netanayhu was traveling to New York to give a speech at the UN General Assembly.
On the fringes of the conference, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a key adviser to Netanyahu, was expected to meet with senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Dermer was given the go-ahead to resume talks, according to Israeli Prime Minister’s Office sources that Channel 12 News in Israel cited.
Netanyahu said, “The report of an alleged instruction to moderate the fighting in the north is also contrary to the truth.” According to the prime minister’s office, “the IDF has been instructed to continue the fighting with full force and in accordance with the plans presented to him.”
There won’t be a cease-fire in the north, Foreign Minister Israel Katz stated on X a few minutes later. With all of our might, we shall not give up on the terrorist group Hezbollah until we have won and the people of the north can safely return to their homes.
The remarks were made after members of Netanyahu’s coalition turned down the French-American plan for a 21-day cease-fire.
Head of the Otzma Yehudit Party and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir promised to quit the coalition government “if the temporary cease-fire becomes permanent.”
On Wednesday night, a group of countries including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, EU, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar demanded a “immediate 21-day cease-fire across the Lebanon-Israel border to provide space for diplomacy towards the conclusion of a diplomatic settlement.”
“It is time for a settlement on the Israel-Lebanon border that ensures safety and security to enable civilians to return to their homes,” declared French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Joe Biden prior to the statement being released.
Hezbollah was not mentioned in either of the two remarks.
