Lebanon demands ‘immediate’ implementation of ceasefire agreement with Israel

The prime minister declared that the deal means Israel will be able to focus on the “Iranian threat.” He also promised to return families in northern Israel to their homes. Netanyahu described that Hezbollah is no longer the same group “that launched a war against us” and that Israel managed to “launch the group decades back.” “We managed to achieve many of our objectives during this war,” he declared.

If the extremist group violates the ceasefire agreement, Israel will react “with great force”, according to Netanyahu. The Israeli leader stressed that Hassan Nasrallah and “all leaders” of Hezbollah were killed. “We destroyed most of the rockets and missiles. We killed thousands of terrorists and destroyed underground and terrorist infrastructure near our borders.”

Concentrating on Iran will be a new focus for Israel

Netanyahu says there are three reasons for the ceasefire. The first is to focus on Iran, the second is to allow troops to rest and replenish weapons stocks, and the third is to delink the northern and southern fronts and isolate Hamas. “With Hezbollah out of the picture, Hamas is left alone in the campaign. Our pressure will increase,” he says, citing that this will allow Israel to bring the hostages home.

Prime Minister added that he is “determined” to keep Israel’s soldiers alive and safe. “That’s why tonight I will present to the cabinet a plan for a ceasefire in Lebanon,” he highlighted.

The decision to ceasefire came after a meeting of the Israeli Prime Minister’s office. Lebanon and Hezbollah had already approved the proposal and sent their comments to the American embassy on November 18, Ali Hassan Khalil, advisor to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, told Reuters.