Netanyahu’s security cabinet to ‘discuss possible Lebanon ceasefire’
Reports that ceasefire could be announced in the coming hours are disputed by Israel
Israel’s security cabinet will meet on Wednesday evening to discuss a possible Lebanon ceasefire, a senior official has confirmed.
A meeting of Benjamin Netanyahu’s top team was due to take place at 8pm, although Israeli sources played down reports that a ceasefire could be announced in the coming hours.
A senior Israeli official told the Reuters news agency that the cabinet will discuss a possible ceasefire in Lebanon.
But it is understood there is no possibility of a breakthrough if Hezbollah keep on launching missiles.
While Lebanese news outlet Al Mayadeen reported on Wednesday that a ceasefire was imminent, citing a high-ranking Iranian security source.
According to the Hezbollah-affiliated outlet, the ceasefire will last for one week and end at the same time as the ongoing temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran.
Al Mayadeen reported that the US will serve as a sponsor and partner of Israel during the ceasefire and will be responsible for monitoring Israeli actions.
Earlier Donald Trump suggested US-Iran ceasefire talks could restart in Pakistan within days, after claiming the war with Tehran is “very close to over”.
Speaking on Wednesday, the US president claimed Tehran wants a deal badly and that Iran’s new leadership was reasonable, even as the US maintains a naval blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, halting their sea trade.
In response, Iran warned it would block trade on the Red Sea if the US naval blockade continued.
Israeli forces have also occupied a significant portion of southern Lebanon, and have vowed to continue operations until the threat posted to Israeli citizens in the north of the country by Hezbollah is removed.
IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir said that he had ordered that “the entire area of southern Lebanon up to the Litani River become a no-go zone for Hezbollah operatives,” the military announced on Wednesday.
The IDF continued to strike Hezbollah in the south of the country, while the Iranian-backed group confirmed it targeted several areas in northern Israel with rocket barrages, including Metula, Kfar Giladi and Kiryat Shmona.
Israel issued a fresh evacuation order for residents of south Lebanon as the IDF pressed on with its offensive against Hezbollah.
An IDF spokesperson warned “airstrikes are ongoing” and that the Israeli army “operates with significant force in the area”.
“Remaining south of the Zahrani River may endanger your lives and the lives of your families,” the spokesperson wrote on X.
Israeli strikes hit vehicles south of the capital, Beirut, and the IDF also launched several other strikes across southern Lebanon.
The fresh round of exchanges came just hours after Washington hosted the first direct talks between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to the United States.
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