Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on television on Tuesday, November 26, that he had reached an agreement within the security cabinet for a ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israel is fighting the Islamist movement Hezbollah, without specifying it. the duration.
“This evening, I will present to the (security) cabinet for approval a draft ceasefire in Lebanon. The duration of the ceasefire depends on what happens in Lebanon”declared Benjamin Netanyahu.
This truce, immediately approved by the Israeli security cabinet and welcomed in particular by the UN, Iran and the United States, came into force this Wednesday at 4 a.m. (3 a.m. in France). Less than an hour before, two Israeli strikes were visible around Beirut.
US Presidents Joe Biden and French Presidents Emmanuel Macron said in a joint statement that Washington and Paris would ensure that the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon is “implemented in its entirety”.
“In full agreement with the United States, we maintain complete freedom of military action” in Lebanon, said Benjamin Netanyahu. “If Hezbollah violates the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack. »
No announcements for displaced people
However, he did not announce when the approximately 60,000 inhabitants of the north of the country displaced by the war with Hezbollah would be able to return home and refrained from making the slightest announcement on the subject.
Evoking the « sept fronts » (Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, the Houthi rebels in Yemen and the Iraqi paramilitary groups supported by Tehran) on which Israel is fighting, the Israeli prime minister affirmed that this truce would allow “to focus on the Iranian threat” common according to him to all these fronts.
“The ceasefire has three reasons for existing: the first, to focus on the Iranian threat and I will not dwell on the subject”declared Benjamin Netanyahu.
Intensify the pressure
It will also allow “refresh the troops and resupply” in weapons and equipment “to complete our mission”.
Thirdly, “on Hamas”the Palestinian Islamist movement that Israel is fighting in Gaza, the ceasefire contributes to its “isolation”said Benjamin Netanyahu.
“When Hezbollah is out of the game, Hamas finds itself alone (in Gaza). Our pressure will intensify, and this will contribute to the sacred mission of freeing our hostages.”he added.
The safe return of displaced people from northern Israel, the annihilation of Hamas and the return of all hostages held in Gaza are among the main war goals declared by the Netanyahu government.
