Lebanon says it may agree to ceasefire with Israel

(CLO) Lebanon's prime minister expressed hope on Wednesday that a ceasefire agreement with Israel would be announced in the coming days, after Israeli broadcaster Kan published a draft agreement on a 60-day ceasefire.

The document, which Kan reported was a proposal drafted by Washington, states that Israel will withdraw its troops from Lebanon in the first week of a 60-day ceasefire agreement.

A child holds on to his belongings as he crosses from Lebanon to Syria at the Masnaa border crossing, Lebanon, October 28, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

Lebanon's interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati said he did not believe a deal would be possible until after the US presidential election on Tuesday. However, he became more optimistic after speaking with US special envoy for the Middle East Amos Hochstein, who said a deal could be reached before November 5. "We are doing everything we can and should remain hopeful that in the next few hours or days we will have a ceasefire," Mikati told Lebanon's Al Jadeed television station.

Hezbollah has not commented on the leaked draft of the ceasefire agreement. But Hezbollah's new leader Naim Qassem said the group would accept a ceasefire if Israel wanted to stop the fighting, but Israel has yet to make any proposals that it could consider.

Israel expanded its offensive in Lebanon on Wednesday, with the Israeli air force striking the city of Baalbek and nearby villages to the east. Tens of thousands of Lebanese were displaced, many of whom had previously taken refuge in Baalbek. Lebanon’s health ministry said 19 people had been killed in Israeli airstrikes on two towns in the area.

The Israeli military also said it had struck Hezbollah fuel depots in the Bekaa Valley, and the US State Department reiterated that Washington supports Israel's right to target Hezbollah targets, but must avoid threatening civilians and important cultural sites.

Prime Minister Mikati said Lebanon is ready to fully implement UN resolution 1701, adopted in 2006 to disarm southern Lebanon and establish a UN peacekeeping force.

Hong Hanh (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/thu-tuong-lebanon-cho-biet-co-the-dong-y-ngung-ban-voi-israel-trong-vai-ngay-toi-post319298.html