Israel’s security cabinet approves cease-fire deal with Lebanon

Israel’s security cabinet has agreed to a cease-fire deal with Lebanon, according to Channel 12. The agreement is expected to take effect on Wednesday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would bring a US-brokered proposal for a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon to his security cabinet for a vote as soon as Tuesday evening.

“Citizens of Israel, this evening I will bring a ceasefire outline for the (security) cabinet’s approval,” Netanyahu said in a televised address.

However, Israeli media outlet Channel 12 reported that the more restricted security cabinet had earlier approved the deal.

Details of the cease-fire, which follows ongoing tensions and military escalation between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, have not yet been fully disclosed.

Ahead of the vote in security cabinet, Israel increased its strikes on Lebanon’s Beirut, targeting central areas of the city.

US confirms cease-fire deal

U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed that both Israel and Lebanon agreed to the deal, which will take effect at 4 a.m. local time Wednesday.

“The Security Cabinet, this evening, in a 10-1 vote, approved the U.S. proposal for a cease-fire arrangement in Lebanon,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.

“Israel appreciates the U.S. contribution to the process and maintains its right to act against any threat to its security,” the statement added.

Under the cease-fire deal, Biden told the press, fighting between Israeli forces and the Lebanese Hezbollah group across the Lebanese-Israeli border early Wednesday, according to Israel’s Army Radio.

Deal will let Israel ‘focus Iranian threat’

Meanwhile, Israeli’s Netanyahu in a statement said “cease-fire duration depends on what happens in Lebanon,” adding that Israel “will respond” if Hezbollah violates truce.

The deal with Lebanon will allow Israel to “focus on Iranian threat,” added Netanyahu.

Additionally, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel “will intensify” pressure on Hamas.

“From day two of the war, Hamas was counting on Hezbollah to fight by its side. With Hezbollah out of the picture, Hamas is left on its own,” he said.

“We will increase our pressure on Hamas and that will help us in our sacred mission of releasing our hostages,” Netanyahu added.

Lebanon calls for ‘immediate’ implementation

Lebanon’s PM Najib Mikati demands “immediate” implementation of cease-fire.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati demanded in a statement on Tuesday that the international community “act swiftly” to halt Israeli aggression “and implement an immediate ceasefire”.

His comments came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an address that the country’s security cabinet would agree “this evening” on a truce deal in its war against Hezbollah.

Israel ministers approve cease-fire deal

The Israeli government approved a truce with Hezbollah in Lebanon Tuesday and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US President Joe Biden for his “involvement in securing the ceasefire agreement”.

Netanyahu’s office said 10 ministers voted in favour and one opposed the agreement. In the call, Netanyahu told Biden that he appreciated his “understanding that Israel will maintain its freedom of action in enforcing it”, his office said.