Israel ready to implement Lebanon ceasefire – Netanyahu

Every violation of the looming deal, however, will be met with full force, Israel’s PM says

Israel is close to implementing a ceasefire in Lebanon, where the country has been waging a campaign against the political and militant group Hezbollah, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday.

The prime minister made the remarks in a televised address following a meeting with his security cabinet. The ceasefire deal is almost ready, with only final approval from the government needed, Netanyahu revealed. He did not give any timeframe, stating only that “the duration of the ceasefire depends on what takes place in Lebanon.”

“With the full understanding with the US, we are maintaining full freedom of action” against Hezbollah, Netanyahu warned, promising to respond “with force” to every potential violation of the ceasefire. 

“If Hezbollah violates the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he stressed. “If it tries to rebuild the terror infrastructure near the border, we will attack. If it fires a rocket, if it digs a tunnel, if it brings in a truck with missiles, we will attack.

Netanyahu outlined three main reasons for accepting the deal now, stating it would allow Israel to focus on Iran, as well as to “isolate Hamas” in Gaza and exercise more “pressure” on the Palestinian group. At the same time, the Lebanon ceasefire would allow the Jewish State to refill its weaponry stocks and let the troops rest, he pointed out while apparently criticizing Israel’s main ally, the US, for its allegedly lackluster support. 

“There were delays, and big delays, in weapons shipments. And that delay will soon be released,” he said without directly blaming the outgoing Biden administration.