Netanyahu Rejects Reports That Israel Has Accepted Ceasefire with Hezbollah

Thu Sep 26 13:00:46 UTC 2024: ## Israel Rejects Proposed Ceasefire in Lebanon, Vows to Continue Fighting

**JERUSALEM** – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected reports that he has accepted a proposed ceasefire in Lebanon, vehemently denying that any such decision has been made. The proposal, spearheaded by French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden, calls for a 21-day ceasefire, sparking criticism in Israel, particularly from residents displaced by Hezbollah attacks.

The proposal has been met with strong opposition from the Israeli government. Netanyahu’s office issued a statement claiming the report of a ceasefire is “incorrect” and that the Prime Minister has not even responded to the American-French proposal. He has instead directed the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to continue fighting with full force, according to the pre-existing plan.

Israeli government spokesman David Mencer echoed Netanyahu’s stance, stating that Israel remains open to diplomacy, but that the current proposal would hinder the pursuit of peace and stability in the region. He argued that Israel’s targeted strikes on Hezbollah are creating the necessary conditions for a long-term ceasefire, emphasizing that Hezbollah’s withdrawal from the Israeli border is a fundamental requirement for any lasting peace.

Mencer cited United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701, which call for the disarmament of non-Lebanese groups in Lebanon and the withdrawal of Hezbollah from the Israeli border, as justification for Israel’s military action. He expressed hope that Israel’s current strategy will ultimately lead to a new security reality based on previously agreed-upon but unimplemented understandings.

The rejection of the ceasefire proposal underscores the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides seemingly committed to their respective strategies. It remains unclear how this impasse will be resolved, but the immediate future appears to hold continued conflict and uncertainty for the region.

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