Netanyahu urges government to approve ceasefire deal with Hezbollah
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Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed his support for a ceasefire deal with the Lebanese militant movement Hezbollah. He urged the Israeli government to approve the deal in a speech on Tuesday night.
After a year of war, Hezbollah is very weak, Netanyahu said. "It's not the same Hezbollah anymore." He pointed out that the pro-Iranian movement had been "set back decades", with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah dead, along with the rest of its leadership. Most of Hezbollah's rocket arsenal and its network of underground tunnels in southern Lebanon have also been destroyed.
Netanyahu added that any violation of the ceasefire agreement by Hezbollah would be dealt with harshly. "A good agreement is an agreement that is enforced. And we will enforce it." He also referred to the heavy bombardment of the Lebanese capital on Tuesday. "The earth is shaking in Beirut," he said.
Focus on Hamas
After a ceasefire, Israel would focus on the conflict with Iran, Netanyahu said. In addition, Israeli soldiers will be able to recover from combat and Israel's arsenal will be renewed. The end of the war with Hezbollah will leave the militant Palestinian organisation Hamas isolated in the Gaza Strip. This could pave the way for an agreement on the release of the 100 or so hostages still held there.
Several media outlets are reporting that the Israeli security cabinet has already reached an agreement on the ceasefire. According to Reuters, citing Israel's Channel 12 television, the deal is expected to come into effect on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Lebanese prime minister Najib Mikati called on the international community to "act swiftly" for the "immediate implementation of a ceasefire".
© PHOTO MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP
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