Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday his readiness to implement a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon, asserting a strong response to any infractions by Hezbollah.
During a televised speech, Netanyahu disclosed plans to present the ceasefire agreement to his full cabinet later that evening. The security cabinet, a more selective group, had already sanctioned the deal.
“We will enforce the agreement and respond forcefully to any violation. Together, we will continue until victory,” Netanyahu declared.
BREAKING: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was ready to implement a ceasefire deal with Lebanon and would 'respond forcefully to any violation' by Hezbollah. Live coverage: https://t.co/OVbTUZD2JP
— Reuters (@Reuters) November 26, 2024He emphasized that, in full collaboration with the United States, Israel maintains complete military autonomy. He warned that any violations or rearmament attempts by Hezbollah would meet with decisive Israeli strikes.
Read: Israeli Claims to Hit 20 Hezbollah Targets in Beirut
Netanyahu outlined three primary reasons for pursuing the ceasefire: to concentrate efforts on Iran, to replenish Israel’s depleted arms supplies and give the army a respite, and to isolate Hamas, the militant group responsible for initiating regional conflict with its attacks on Israel, from Gaza the previous year.
'A ceasefire that holds forever is peace, and the end of this war is not peace.'
As Netanyahu presents a Hezbollah ceasefire deal, @LaylaMoran highlights the 'huge chasm' between where we are now and establishing a 'viable Palestinian state with security for Lebanon as well'. pic.twitter.com/n6p4XqWZ8R
— LBC (@LBC) November 26, 2024According to Reuters, Netanyahu stated that Hezbollah, supported by Iran and an ally to Hamas, had been significantly weakened by the conflict. “We have set it back decades, eliminated its top leaders, destroyed most of its rockets and missiles, neutralized thousands of fighters, and obliterated years of terror infrastructure near our border,” he explained.
He added, “We targeted strategic objectives across Lebanon, shaking Beirut to its core.”
