Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cast doubt on the prospects for a cease-fire with Hezbollah, despite a joint proposal from the U.S. and its allies calling for a 21-day cessation of hostilities. The proposal aims to facilitate diplomatic negotiations to end the recent deadly clashes between Israel and Hezbollah.
As Netanyahu headed to the U.N. General Assembly in New York, his office released a statement indicating that the cease-fire proposal was still under review. The statement denied any directive to ease the military offensive on the northern border with Lebanon.
The Chicago Tribune reported that the Israeli military has been preparing for a possible ground incursion into Lebanon. Recently, the Israeli military intercepted a Hezbollah missile aimed at Tel Aviv, marking a significant escalation in the conflict. In response, Israel has continued its barrage of attacks on Lebanon, resulting in at least 51 deaths and 223 injuries, according to Lebanon’s health minister.
President Biden, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, emphasized the importance of an immediate cease-fire to ensure civilian safety. “It is time for a settlement on the Israel-Lebanon border that ensures safety and security to enable civilians to return to their homes,” Biden said.
Hezbollah has yet to respond to the cease-fire proposal. Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has welcomed the initiative, although his government has no control over Hezbollah. The militant group has stated it would only halt its attacks if there is a cease-fire in Gaza, where Israel has been fighting Hamas.
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, has vowed to continue the fight with full force until all objectives are met. Internal political tensions are also rising, with Itamar Ben-Gvir, head of the Jewish Power party, threatening to suspend cooperation with Netanyahu’s coalition if a permanent cease-fire is reached.
The conflict has taken a heavy toll. Israeli airstrikes killed 20 people in Lebanon, most of them Syrian nationals. The Lebanese National News Agency reported that the strike near Baalbek in the Bekaa Valley killed 19 Syrians and one Lebanese. Rescue efforts were challenging due to limited resources.
In Gaza, Israel launched a massive operation following a Hamas-led attack on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and around 250 kidnappings. Since then, more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza.
Families of Israeli hostages are pushing for any cease-fire agreement to include provisions for their release. Gil Dickmann, whose cousin was kidnapped and later found dead in Gaza, emphasized the importance of addressing both the Gaza and Lebanon situations in a comprehensive cease-fire deal.
As the international community closely monitors developments, the success of the cease-fire proposal remains uncertain. Israel faces both external and internal pressures as it navigates this complex conflict.
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