Netanyahu publicly supported the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire plan.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly backed a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah militants that would end nearly 14 months of fighting, but the deal, brokered by the United States and France, has not yet been formally approved by his cabinet.

Netanyahu’s Security Cabinet The meeting was called early Tuesday, as ministers deliberated for more than three hours on the proposed ceasefire.

At a press conference as talks continued, Netanyahu cited three reasons in support of the deal: to focus on the Iranian threat; Give Israeli forces a chance to refresh. And isolate Hamas from the northern front.

THUNE has threatened the International Criminal Court with sanctions if it does not dismiss Netanyahu’s arrest warrant.

By ending the conflict with Hezbollah, Netanyahu said Hamas would stand alone, clearing the way for Israeli forces to recover the remaining hostages on October 7.

Netanyahu said he would present the deal to the cabinet for a vote later Tuesday.

How long it will last depends on what happens in Lebanon, Netanyahu said. If Hezbollah does not follow the agreement, we will attack.

Under the proposed terms of the initial two-month ceasefire, Hezbollah is required to move its forces north of the Litani River – a key hub that is in some places within 20 miles of the Israeli border – and Israeli forces We have to evacuate from the south. Lebanon too. Lebanese armed forces are to be deployed to the border area within 60 days, and a five-nation committee led by the United States, including France, will monitor compliance with the terms of the agreement, according to Reuters.

According to the Israeli news agency Tazpit Press Service (TPS-IL), the peacekeeping mission of the United Nations Transitional Force observers in Lebanon will also continue.

Israel ‘moving forward’ on potential Hezbollah ceasefire, official

was among the remaining problems. Israel’s demand Reserving the right to take military action if Hezbollah violates its obligations under the emerging agreement.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said early Tuesday that its ground forces had reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River, a longtime Hezbollah stronghold.

In a statement, the IDF said its troops had reached the Saluki Valley area. South Lebanon and “raided Hezbollah strongholds, uncovered and seized hundreds of weapons, destroyed dozens of underground installations, and neutralized many rocket launchers that were ready for future use.”

The IDF said clashes with Hezbollah took place at the eastern end of Litani, a few miles from the border. It is one of the deepest points Israeli forces have reached in nearly two months of ground operations.

The Israeli military said the troops conducted “intelligence-based raids targeting terrorist infrastructure hiding in a complex area.”

Trump, Congress seek to impose suffocating sanctions on ‘kangaroo’ ICC over Netanyahu arrest warrant

“Soldiers raided several terrorist targets in close combat with the terrorists, found and destroyed dozens of launchers, thousands of rockets and missiles, and weapons storage facilities hidden in the mountains,” the IDF said.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y. praised the deal, saying it would allow displaced Israelis in the north to return to their homes and Israel against Hezbollah. will ensure the safety of

“As this agreement shows, when terrorists are defeated militarily and through dogged diplomacy, the prospects for peace increase. As long as the fighting continues in Gaza, Hezbollah said it will never give up.” No, but today’s cease-fire agreement should show Hamas that they are as isolated as ever,” Shamar said in a statement. “Now, Hamas must release all remaining hostages and come to a negotiated cease-fire. Continuing its failed strategy will only bleed more misery and indifference into Gaza. Hamas must recognize that Israel There is no future without a strong and secure state.”

“The Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire agreement also provides an enforcement mechanism to ensure that Hezbollah remains vulnerable and allows displaced Lebanese and Israeli citizens to return to their homes,” he added. be allowed”. “I commend the Biden administration for continuing to work toward this agreement and negotiations for a cease-fire and the return of all hostages in Gaza.”

Hezbollah launched an attack on Israel on October 8, 2023, a day after Hamas terrorists killed more than 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages from southern Israel to Gaza, ending more than a year. The fight continued. This escalated in September with large-scale Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon and Israeli ground incursions into the south of the country. Hezbollah fired thousands of rockets, including about 250 projectiles, at Israeli military bases, cities and towns on Sunday.

According to TPS-IL reports, more than 68,000 Israelis have been displaced from their homes along the Lebanese border.

An Israeli airstrike leveled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta on Tuesday – the second time in recent days that warplanes have hit a densely populated area near the city center.

The Israeli army also issued a warning for another 20 buildings in Beirut. Suburbs controlled by Hezbollah Evacuating before they too were killed—a last-minute move before a ceasefire could be reached.

Click here to get the Fox News app.

Speaking on the sidelines of a Group of Seven meeting in Italy, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Tuesday that Israel had “no excuse” for rejecting a ceasefire with Hezbollah. , and warned that without it, “Lebanon” would fall apart.

The Times of Israel reported. That Defense Minister Israel Katz met with UN Special Envoy for Lebanon Jeanine-Hans Plaschart on Tuesday, when he said there would be “zero tolerance” for any violations of the cease-fire in Jerusalem, warned that ” If you don’t, we will, and with great force.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.