Under international pressure to engage in diplomacy after deadly strikes, Netanyahu says disarming Hezbollah will be focus of talks, said set to kick off next week in DC.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday evening that Israel would begin negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible,” aimed at disarming Hezbollah and reaching a full peace agreement between the countries. The announcement came a day after the Jewish state led the largest and deadliest wave of airstrikes on its northern neighbor since the start of the current round of fighting with the Iran-backed terror group. Jerusalem and Beirut seemed to be at odds over the conditions under which the talks would take place, with Lebanon demanding a ceasefire first, while Israel insisted that they be held under fire.
“In light of Lebanon’s repeated appeals to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed the cabinet yesterday to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible,” Netanyahu said in a statement, following heavy international pressure on Israel to engage in diplomacy. The talks “will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon,” he said.
In a later video message, Netanyahu hailed the potential for a “historic and sustainable peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon.” In a message addressed to residents of northern Israel, the premier stressed that “there is no ceasefire in Lebanon,” noting that Israel was “continuing to strike Hezbollah with great force,” and would “not stop until we restore your security.” (Read More)
