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The recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in significant casualties and widespread displacement in Lebanon. Adding to the complexities of the situation, Lebanon's foreign minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, has made a startling claim: that slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had agreed to a ceasefire with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just hours before his death in an Israeli airstrike. Bou Habib's statement, made to American broadcaster PBS, suggests that a potential de-escalation of the conflict was thwarted at the eleventh hour.
According to Bou Habib, the ceasefire decision was reached in consultation with Lebanon and Hezbollah, and the agreement was communicated to both the United States and France. He further stated that the US and French officials confirmed Netanyahu's agreement to the ceasefire. However, this account directly contradicts reports that Netanyahu rejected a proposed 21-day ceasefire plan put forth by the United States and France shortly before the airstrike that killed Nasrallah. The conflicting narratives raise questions about the accuracy of Bou Habib's claims and the true extent to which a ceasefire was ever truly considered by the involved parties.
The potential ceasefire agreement came amidst heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had reportedly warned Nasrallah to flee the country just days before his death, highlighting the precarious situation he faced. While the details surrounding the ceasefire agreement remain unclear, it is evident that the conflict has had a devastating impact on Lebanon, with millions displaced and infrastructure destroyed. Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has called for an immediate ceasefire, emphasizing the need to stop the bloodshed and prevent further destruction. The current situation demands a swift and decisive response from all parties to prevent further escalation and find a path towards peace in the region.
Source: Did Hezbollah's Nasrallah agree to ceasefire with Netanyahu before his death in Israeli strike?