Lebanon PM hopes for Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire ‘in coming hours or days’

World

Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister has said he hopes a ceasefire deal between Hezbollah and Israel will be announced “within hours”.

Najib Mikati made the comments after speaking to US envoy Amos Hochstein.

According to Israeli broadcaster Kan, which published details of Lebanon’s proposed draft, it would see Israeli forces pull out within seven days of the truce starting.

It also reportedly includes Israel’s “right to act in self-defence” against imminent threats.

However, the White House urged caution.

It said there were “many reports and drafts circulating” and they “do not reflect the current state of negotiations”.

Israel began a ground offensive in southern Lebanon at the start of October.

More from World

More than a million people have been displaced, according to Lebanon’s government, and hundreds have been killed.

Israel says it’s intended to allow its citizens to return to homes near the border after rocket fire from Hezbollah over the past year forced them to move.

The Iran-aligned group is designated a terrorist entity by countries including the UK and US.

Its new leader, Naim Kassem, said earlier on Wednesday it would keep fighting until it’s offered acceptable ceasefire terms.

In his first public comments since replacing Hassan Nasrallah, he said: “If the Israelis decide to stop the aggression, we say that we accept, but according to the conditions that we see as suitable.”

“We will not beg for a ceasefire as we will continue (fighting)… no matter how long it takes.”

Israeli airstrikes hit the eastern city of Baalbek on Wednesday, according to Lebanon’s state-run news agency.

It came hours after Israel issued an evacuation warning for the whole city, including its Roman temple complex – a UNESCO World Heritage site.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Products You May Like

Articles You May Like

House Democrats say GOP caved to Musk in funding bill, protecting his China interests
How Mariah Carey’s Christmas classic has defied the decades
Former US president Bill Clinton in hospital
Welsh visitor tax plans spark anger in local tourism industry: ‘We’ll be clobbered by it’
Test your political knowledge in the Politics Hub’s 2024 quiz

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *