Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced his initial support on Nov. 26 for a U.S.-brokered cease-fire agreement in Lebanon that could end nearly 14 months of fighting with Hezbollah.
Early details of the proposal describe a two-month initial halt in the fighting, with Hezbollah pulling its fighters north of the Litani River in Lebanon, while Israeli forces withdraw south to their side of the border. It was not immediately clear when the cease-fire would go into effect, and the exact terms of the deal have yet to be released.
In a televised address, Netanyahu said he will present the cease-fire proposal to his Cabinet ministers for a vote later on Tuesday.
Netanyahu said the duration of the cease-fire is contingent on whether the Lebanese side fulfills its end of the deal. He also said Israel will retain the right to strike Hezbollah if they breach the peace.
“If Hezbollah violates the agreement and tries to arm itself, we will attack. If it tries to rebuild terrorist infrastructure near the border, we will attack. If it launches a rocket, if it digs a tunnel, if it brings in a truck carrying rockets, we will attack,” he said.
Already, some members of his cabinet have expressed dissent over the cease-fire talks, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir who has urged Israel to continue until Hezbollah is defeated outright.
Addressing pushback on Tuesday, Netanyahu noted Israel resumed military operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip after a week-long cease-fire in November of last year. He also said a halt in the fighting along the Israel–Lebanon border also allows Israeli forces to rest and replenish, refocus on Iran, and isolate Hamas.
Hezbollah began attacking Israeli territory along the Israel–Lebanon border on Oct. 8, 2023, just hours after Hamas launched the Oct. 7 attacks across southern Israel. Since then, Hezbollah has said it will continue to fight until Israel lets off against Hamas in Gaza.
Netanyahu said Israeli forces will be able to continue their campaign in the Gaza Strip, even with the cease-fire plan in Lebanon.
“We will complete the task of obliterating Hamas, we will bring home all of our hostages, we will ensure that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel and we will return the residents of the north back home safely,” he said.
