Lebanese FM hopes for cease-fire with Israel to begin on Nov. 26 evening
Lebanon's Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib attends a joint press conference with the European Union's top diplomat, in Beirut on September 12, 2024. (AFP Photo)
Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib expressed hope on Tuesday that a cease-fire would begin on Nov. 26 evening (tonight), as Israel’s military attacks on the country have intensified over the past two months.
Speaking at the 10th Mediterranean Dialogue Forum in Italy, Bou Habib indicated that Lebanon is committed to peace and has been advocating for an end to the violence.
Bou Habib calls for immediate cease-fire
During his speech at the “Dialogue for Peace” session of the forum, Bou Habib highlighted that the Israeli military assault on Lebanon has been ongoing for 60 days.
“I hope that we can achieve a cease-fire this evening. Everyone is waiting for Israel to accept the ceasefire,” he stated, emphasizing that Lebanon is in favor of peace.
The Lebanese minister also addressed the broader regional context, expressing concern over the continued escalation of hostilities.
“The more we remain silent, the more fragmentation in the international system will occur,” he warned, urging international actors to take a stand and push for a halt to the violence.
Calls for sovereignty in southern Lebanon
Besides calling for a cease-fire, Bou Habib reaffirmed Lebanon‘s stance on its territorial integrity, particularly in southern Lebanon. He stressed that the Lebanese government should be the sole authority in the region.
“The only authority in southern Lebanon must be the Lebanese government. To achieve this, it is vital to promote cooperation between the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Lebanese army,” he stated.
Escalating death toll in Lebanon
The ongoing conflict, which began on Oct. 8, 2023, has led to significant loss of life and widespread destruction.
According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, as of now, 3,768 people have been killed by Israel, including 946 women and children and 222 healthcare workers.
More than 15,000 people have been injured in the attacks, which have also displaced nearly 1.9 million people across the country.
In a further escalation, Israel has conducted hundreds of airstrikes in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley and Baalbek, targeting various sites, including alleged military positions associated with Hezbollah.
Growing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon
The humanitarian situation in Lebanon continues to deteriorate, with large numbers of civilians fleeing the conflict zones. According to Lebanese government data, over 624,000 people have fled to Syria, while others have relocated within Lebanon.
