Lebanon Claims Ceasefire Agreement Between Nasrallah and Netanyahu Before Airstrike Death

Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib claims that Hassan Nasrallah and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to a ceasefire shortly before Nasrallah’s death in an Israeli airstrike. Bou Habib stated that this ceasefire agreement was communicated to the US and French representatives. Despite a previous ceasefire proposal, Netanyahu had rejected the terms, leading to continued hostilities.

Former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly reached an agreement on a ceasefire prior to Nasrallah’s death during an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, according to Lebanon’s Foreign Minister, Abdallah Bou Habib. In an interview with an American public broadcaster, Bou Habib confirmed that both parties communicated their decision to representatives from the United States and France. Nasrallah was situated in a bunker in the southern suburb of Dahiyeh when it was targeted by Israeli bombardment on September 27. Although Hezbollah’s official statement regarding Nasrallah’s death did not specify the cause, sources indicated that the cause was likely blunt force trauma resulting from the blast without visible wounds. “He (Nasrallah) agreed, he agreed (to the ceasefire),” declared Bou Habib, highlighting that Lebanon had conferred with Hezbollah and notified the American and French governments about the ceasefire decision. He elaborated that the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Mr. Nabih Berri, had consultations with Hezbollah and communicated the information to counterparts in the US and France, who affirmed that Prime Minister Netanyahu had also endorsed the ceasefire declaration. A ceasefire was proposed on September 25 by the United States, France, and other allies following a meeting between President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron during the UN General Assembly. However, on the following day, Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected the proposal, ordering continued military actions. In a related development, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had cautioned Nasrallah to evacuate Lebanon just days before his death, prompted by intelligence assessments indicating potential threats to his safety from Israeli operatives within Hezbollah. A senior Iranian official revealed that Khamenei sent a message via Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan, a commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, who also met his demise in the same strike as Nasrallah. Israel commenced a limited ground offensive against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon yesterday, amid ongoing violence that has resulted in over 1,900 fatalities and approximately 9,000 injuries in Lebanon since the escalation began following Hamas’s attack on Israeli territory on October 7, 2022.

The situation between Hezbollah and Israel has been historically contentious, characterized by periodic escalations of violence. The recent conflict arose after the October 2022 attacks by Hamas, leading to increased hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Amid these tensions, diplomatic efforts for ceasefires have been made, indicating a complex interplay between military actions and attempts at negotiation and peace.

In conclusion, the reported agreement on a ceasefire between Hassan Nasrallah and Benjamin Netanyahu underscores the intricate diplomatic maneuvers amid ongoing warfare between Israel and Hezbollah. The intervention of international leaders, alongside Iran’s concerns for Nasrallah’s safety prior to his death, adds further layers to the already complex geopolitical landscape of the region. The recent increase in military actions continues to claim numerous lives, emphasizing the urgent need for sustained dialogue and resolution.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com