In a significant development in West Asia, Israel has agreed to a ceasefire with Lebanon. The agreement comes into effect at midnight (Israel time) on November 27.
Israel’s Security Cabinet, the country’s top decision-making body under the government has agreed to the ceasefire. “The length of the ceasefire depends on what happens in Lebanon. We will enforce the agreement and respond forcefully to any violation. We will continue united until victory,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said in his speech after the agreement.
“We will complete the task of obliterating Hamas, we will bring home all of our hostages, we will ensure that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel and we will return the residents of the north back home safely. The war will not end until we realize all its goals, including the return of the residents of the north safely home. And I tell you, it will happen, just like it happened in the south,” Mr Netanyahu added.
He then gave 3 reasons why Israel agreed to the ceasefire:
“The first reason is to focus on the Iranian threat, and I won’t expand on that.
The second reason is to give our forces a breather and replenish stocks. And I say it openly, it is no secret that there have been big delays in weapons and munitions deliveries. These delays will be resolved soon. We will receive supplies of advanced weaponry that will keep our soldiers safe and give us more strike force to complete our mission.
And the third reason for having a ceasefire is to separate the fronts and isolate Hamas. From day two of the war, Hamas was counting on Hezbollah to fight by its side. With Hezbollah out of the picture, Hamas is left on its own. We will increase our pressure on Hamas and that will help us in our sacred mission of releasing our hostages.”