The Lebanese Embassy in Washington announced that Hezbollah has agreed to a U.S. proposal for a "mutual cessation of attacks" with Israel. This followed statements by U.S. President Donald Trump indicating that both sides had agreed to halt attacks, after Israel threatened to resume strikes on Beirut's southern suburb (Dahiyeh).
اضافة اعلان
The Lebanese Embassy stated in a briefing conveyed by the Lebanese Presidency Office: "Lebanese authorities have received confirmation of Hezbollah's approval of the U.S. proposal, which stipulates a mutual cessation of attacks."
It added: "Under the proposed arrangement, Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburb will stop in exchange for Hezbollah refraining from launching attacks against Israel, with the framework of the ceasefire to be expanded to cover the entirety of Lebanese territory."
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he informed Trump that his forces would strike Beirut if Hezbollah did not stop attacking Israel.
According to a statement issued by his office, Netanyahu added: "Our position on this matter has not changed. Meanwhile, the IDF will continue to operate as planned in southern Lebanon."
This came after Trump announced in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, that Netanyahu had pledged during a "very productive" phone call not to send troops to Beirut.
Trump wrote: "No troops will go to Beirut, and any troops en route have already turned back."
He also announced that he had a "very good call" with Hezbollah through mediators, adding that the group had agreed to "stop all firings." He continued: "Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel."
Later on Truth Social, Trump expressed his hope that the cessation of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah would last "forever."
Earlier on Monday, Tehran emphasized that a ceasefire in Lebanon remains a prerequisite for any deal to end the war. This coincided with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) hinting at "opening new fronts" unless Israel halts its military operations in Lebanon, and came a day after Tehran and Washington exchanged limited strikes.
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting regarding the war in Lebanon, amid Israel's execution of intensive attacks and its forces' deepest ground incursion into southern Lebanon since their withdrawal in 2000.
This developments unfold on the eve of a new round of talks between Lebanon and Israel in Washington on June 2 and 3, following discussions held by military delegations from both sides at the Pentagon on Friday.
AFP
