Lebanese PM Mikati ‘cautiously optimistic’ about Lebanon, Israel ceasefire

Lebanon’s caretake PM Najib Mikati said Washington’s Middle East envoy ‘suggested’ a ceasefire could beryllium wrong reach.

Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has expressed anticipation that a ceasefire to extremity Israel’s onslaught connected Lebanon could beryllium announced wrong days arsenic Israeli media published what it said was a draught truce statement providing for an archetypal 60-day cessation of fighting.

Mikati said helium became much optimistic astir the anticipation of a truce aft speaking connected Wednesday with the United States envoy for the Middle East, Amos Hochstein, who was owed to question to Israel connected Thursday.

“Hochstein, during his telephone with me, suggested to maine that we could scope an statement earlier the extremity of the period and earlier November 5,” Mikati told Lebanon’s Al Jadeed television, referring to the day of the US election.

“We are doing everything we can, and we should stay optimistic that successful the coming hours oregon days, we volition person a ceasefire,” Mikati said, adding that helium was “cautiously optimistic”.

Israeli nationalist broadcaster Kan published what it said was a leaked connection written by Washington successful which Israel would retreat its forces from Lebanon wrong the archetypal week of a projected 60-day ceasefire.

The Reuters quality bureau obtained akin details regarding the connection from 2 sources acquainted with the matter.

Asked to remark connected the leak, White House nationalist information spokesperson Sean Savett said: “There are galore reports and drafts circulating. They bash not bespeak the existent authorities of negotiations.”

Kan reported that the draught had been presented to Israel’s leaders. Israeli officials did not instantly comment.

Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford, reporting from Beirut, said Mikati’s announcement connected the anticipation of a truce besides came with caveats.

“He said that a ceasefire should travel with American guarantees. But what that means remains to beryllium seen. And helium said that the Lebanese subject volition request further hardware, further weapons and logistical instrumentality arsenic well,” Stratford said.

Earlier connected Wednesday, Hezbollah’s caller leader, Naim Qassem, said his fighters would hold to a ceasefire lone if Israel stopped its “aggression” and if the connection is seen “as suitable”.

“If the Israelis determine to halt the aggression, we accidental that we accept, but according to the conditions that we spot arsenic suitable,” Qassem said, speaking from an undisclosed determination successful a prerecorded televised address.

“We volition not beg for a ceasefire arsenic we volition proceed [fighting] … nary substance however agelong it takes,” helium said.

Hezbollah’s caller leader, Naim Qassem, delivering a televised code arsenic radical ticker successful a cafe successful Beirut, Lebanon, connected October 15, 2024 [Mohamed Azakir/Reuters]

Qassem has replaced Hezbollah’s erstwhile longtime person Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed successful an Israeli aerial onslaught connected a Beirut suburb successful precocious September. He had served as deputy secretary-general of Hezbollah for much than 3 decades.

His code came arsenic Lebanon’s Ministry of Health reported that 30 radical were killed successful Israeli attacks implicit the erstwhile 24 hours, and 165 others were wounded, raising the full decease toll successful Lebanon implicit the past twelvemonth of struggle betwixt Hezbollah and Israel to 2,822 killed and 12,937 wounded.

Amid the speech of a imaginable ceasefire, Israeli attacks connected Lebanon besides expanded connected Wednesday with dense aerial strikes connected the historical eastbound metropolis of Baalbek, famed for its Roman temples.

At slightest 19 people, including 8 women, successful 2 towns successful Lebanon’s Baalbek portion were killed and tens of thousands of radical – including galore who sought structure successful Baalbek from different areas – person been forced to fly the Israeli bombardment.

Bilal Raad, determination caput of the Lebanese civilian defence, said the country was chaotic successful the Baalbek region.

“The full metropolis is successful a panic trying to fig retired wherever to go, there’s a immense postulation jam,” helium said successful beforehand of the Israeli bombardment.

Source

:

Al Jazeera and quality agencies