Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced direct talks with Lebanon, aiming to disarm Hezbollah and establish peaceful relations amidst tensions over the US-Iran ceasefire agreement.
According to him, the negotiations will focus on “disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon.”
Netanyahu earlier said Israel will strike Hezbollah “wherever necessary” as the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for parts of Beirut.
However, Lebanon’s health ministry says 203 people were killed and more than 1,000 wounded in Wednesday’s strikes.
Iran’s deputy foreign minister told the BBC that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen if the US withdraws its “aggression”.
Earlier, Tribune Online reports that the US and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire late on Tuesday, but there have been conflicting reports about what was agreed, especially with Iran claiming that Lebanon was part of the temporary deal.
Netanyahu’s office stated that Israel supports the US decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks, but clarified that the ceasefire doesn’t include the war with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“In light of Lebanon’s repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, yesterday I instructed the cabinet to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible,” Netanyahu said.
BBC further reports that the talks, expected to begin next week in Washington, will be led by the US Ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa.
(BBC)