Lebanon’s Prime Minister Criticizes Israel’s "Expansion" of Attacks
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Friday criticized Israel’s "expansion" of its attacks on his country, saying they indicated a rejection of efforts to broker a truce after more than a month of war.
Mikati’s Statement
"The Israeli enemy’s renewed expansion of the scope of its aggression on Lebanese regions, its repeated threats to the population to evacuate entire cities and villages, and its renewed targeting of the southern suburbs of Beirut with destructive raids are all indicators that confirm the Israeli enemy’s rejection of all efforts being made to secure a ceasefire," Mikati said.
Diplomatic Behavior Suggests Rejection of Ceasefire
The Lebanese premier added that Israel’s diplomatic behavior suggested it was rejecting a ceasefire. "Israeli statements and diplomatic signals that Lebanon received confirm Israel’s stubbornness in rejecting the proposed solutions and insisting on the approach of killing and destruction," Mikati said in a statement.
Parliamentary Speaker’s Comments
Parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri also hit out at Israel, accusing it of squandering chances for a ceasefire. "Israel has wasted… more than one real opportunity to secure a truce… and return calm and displaced persons to both sides of the border," he said in a statement carried by the official National News Agency.
War Toll
Since fighting in Lebanon escalated on September 23, the war has killed at least 1,829 people in Lebanon, according to an AFP tally of health ministry figures.
Ceasefire Efforts
On Wednesday, Mikati said US envoy Amos Hochstein had signalled during a phone call that a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war was possible before US elections are held next Tuesday. The same day, Hezbollah’s new leader Naim Qassem said the group would agree to a ceasefire with Israel under "appropriate and suitable" terms, but added that a viable deal has yet to be presented.
Netanyahu’s Demands
During talks on Thursday, Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu told US envoys Hochstein and Brett McGurk that any Lebanon deal must guarantee Israel’s longer-term security.
Conclusion
The war in Lebanon has been ongoing for over a month, with both sides refusing to back down. The latest statements from Lebanon’s Prime Minister and Parliamentary Speaker suggest that Israel’s actions are not conducive to a ceasefire, and that the conflict is likely to continue.
FAQs
- What is the current situation in Lebanon?
The war in Lebanon has been ongoing for over a month, with both sides refusing to back down. - What is the death toll in Lebanon?
At least 1,829 people have been killed in Lebanon, according to an AFP tally of health ministry figures. - What are the demands of Israel?
Israel has demanded that any ceasefire deal must guarantee its longer-term security. - What is the stance of Hezbollah?
Hezbollah has said it would agree to a ceasefire with Israel under "appropriate and suitable" terms, but added that a viable deal has yet to be presented.