GAZA (Palestine Foundation Information Center) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday evening that his government has approved a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon, following weeks of talks and discussions with US mediation.
In a televised speech, the Israeli premier pledged to return residents to northern Israel, but warned that his army would strike Hezbollah should the Lebanese group violate the ceasefire.
“We will enforce the agreement and respond forcefully to any violation. Together, we will continue until victory,” Netanyahu said.
“In full coordination with the United States, we retain complete military freedom of action. Should Hezbollah violate the agreement or attempt to rearm, we will strike decisively,” he said.
He also said that Hezbollah has been “set back decades”, as several of its leaders and notable figures have been killed.
Netanyahu said the Israeli cabinet will discuss an outline for the ceasefire deal “this evening”.
The deal should see Israeli troops withdrawing from south Lebanon, which it invaded at the start of October this year, and Hezbollah forces moving away from the border to the north of the Litani River.
The Lebanese army would then be deployed in the area within 60 days.
