Israel-Lebanon latest: Netanyahu backs ceasefire deal with Hezbollah ahead of presenting to cabinet
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has backed a US plan for a ceasefire with Hezbollah in a significant breakthrough to resolving the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Mr Netanyahu said he would present the plan – widely expected to include a 60-day ceasefire – to his full cabinet for approval tonight after recommending it to his security cabinet earlier today.
“That is why tonight I will bring to the cabinet approval an outline for a ceasefire in Lebanon – the duration of the ceasefire will depend of what is happening,” Netanyahu said.
It comes after more than a year of near-daily rocket fire, airstrikes and on-the-ground skirmishes between Israeli forces and the militant group across Lebanon.
It was not immediately clear when the ceasefire would come into effect, and the exact terms of the deal were not released.
But previous reports have suggested the plan would see the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon and the removal of Hezbollah fighters and weapons from south of the Litani River.
Thousands of troops from the Lebanese Army would also be deployed and an international committee will monitor the implementation of the ceasefire, according to reports.
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