Netanyahu ready to negotiate a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon: Israel media

Israeli media yesterday reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has authorised Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer to inform the US that Tel Aviv is open to negotiating a temporary ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

According to Israel Hayom, both the United States and France are working to promote an initiative aimed at halting the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. The newspaper, citing an unnamed political source, reported that Israel has expressed willingness to negotiate despite its assessment that the chances of success for the US-French initiative are slim.

However, he noted that a rejection by Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, would provide Israel with the legitimacy to intensify its military operations against the Lebanese group.

Neither the Israeli government nor Hezbollah has issued an official response to the claims.

Since Monday morning, the Israeli military has been conducting the “most intense and extensive” assault on Lebanon in nearly 20 years. The attacks have killed 615 people, including almost 150 women and children, injured 2,113 and displaced around 390,000 people, according to Lebanese authorities.

Israel has been occupying Arab territories in Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon for decades.

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