BEIRUT: Lebanon has said that Hezbollah has agreed to a US-backed proposal aimed at reducing hostilities, under which attacks on Israel would be halted and Israel would refrain from striking Beirut.
The Lebanese embassy in the United States stated that it had received confirmation that Hezbollah accepted the US-mediated plan for a mutual pause in attacks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also acknowledged the arrangement but cautioned that Israeli strikes on Beirut would continue if Hezbollah did not stop targeting Israeli cities and civilians.
The developments followed remarks by US President Donald Trump, who said he had spoken with Netanyahu and representatives of Hezbollah and that both sides had agreed to stop firing. He also warned that ongoing Israeli military actions in Lebanon were complicating an already fragile regional situation involving Iran and the United States.
In its statement, the Lebanese embassy said the proposal envisages a halt to Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs in return for Hezbollah stopping attacks on Israel, with the understanding that the truce would eventually extend across Lebanese territory.
Netanyahu, however, maintained that Israeli forces would continue operations in southern Lebanon as planned, even as diplomatic discussions proceeded.
Despite the announcement, reports of limited exchanges continued, with Hezbollah claiming it had carried out several attacks on Israeli military positions near northern border villages using drones and artillery fire.
(Inputs from BBC)
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