Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his readiness to implement a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon on Tuesday. The PM also pledged to respond decisively to any breach by Hezbollah. Addressing the nation, Netanyahu revealed plans to present the deal to his full cabinet later in the evening, following earlier approval by the security cabinet.
“We will enforce the agreement and respond forcefully to any violation. Together, we will continue until victory,” he affirmed, emphasizing Israel’s maintained military flexibility in collaboration with the United States. Netanyahu warned of decisive action should Hezbollah violate the accord or attempt to rearm.
The Prime Minister outlined three motivations for pursuing the ceasefire: prioritizing the strategic focus on Iran, replenishing Israel’s depleted military resources, and isolating Hamas, the Gaza-based group that instigated the recent regional conflict.
Netanyahu underscored Israel’s significant gains against Hezbollah, asserting the group had been severely weakened. “We have set it back decades, eliminated top leaders, destroyed rockets and missiles, neutralized fighters, and obliterated terror infrastructure,” he stated.
Highlighting the extensive damage to Hezbollah’s operations, Netanyahu declared Israel’s strategic strikes had “shaken Beirut to its core”.