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The Israeli ambassador to the United States expressed optimism regarding a potential cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah, indicating that an agreement could be finalized “within days.” In an interview with Israeli Army Radio, Ambassador Mike Herzog mentioned that there are still “points to finalize” before a deal can be reached, which would also need government endorsement. He asserted that negotiations are progressing and that a resolution appears imminent.
One significant point of contention remains Israel’s insistence on retaining the right to respond if Hezbollah fails to uphold its end of the agreement. The proposed cease-fire aims to ensure both Hezbollah and Israeli forces withdraw from southern Lebanon.
Israel accuses Hezbollah of breaching a U.N. resolution that concluded the 2006 war, which included similar terms. There are fears that Hezbollah might launch attacks reminiscent of Hamas’ recent incursions if it is allowed to maintain a significant presence in southern Lebanon. Conversely, Lebanon has raised complaints regarding violations of the same resolution by Israel, citing incursions by military aircraft and naval vessels even during periods of calm.
The likelihood of Lebanon agreeing to Israel’s demands remains uncertain.
The recent optimism for a cease-fire follows discussions led by a senior U.S. envoy, aimed at facilitating a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel escalated after attacks began on October 8, 2023, shortly after the Hamas assault on southern Israel. This conflict intensified into comprehensive warfare by September, marked by extensive Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon and subsequent ground operations.
Throughout the conflict, Hezbollah has launched thousands of rockets targeting Israeli settlements, with 250 projectiles reported to have been fired on a single day.
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Recent reports indicate that two individuals, including a 13-year-old boy, were killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank.
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, the casualties were identified as Mohammed Hamarsheh, 13, and Ahmad Zayd, 20. The Israeli military claimed that the duo had thrown explosives at their forces, prompting a lethal response.
This incident marks a continuing trend of violence in the West Bank, which has seen heightened unrest over the past 13 months of conflict in Gaza. The Health Ministry reported that nearly 800 Palestinians have died since the start of the war, with more than 160 being minors.
The surge in fatalities includes armed confrontations with Israeli soldiers, as well as incidents involving unarmed individuals caught up in the violence. There has also been an uptick in Palestinian attacks on Israeli targets in the West Bank amid the ongoing hostilities.
In a related development, the Israeli government has mandated that public entities cease advertising in the Haaretz newspaper, known for its critical commentary on Israel’s policies in Palestinian territories.
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi stated that his proposal was approved after the newspaper’s publisher called for actions against Israel and labeled Palestinian fighters as “freedom fighters.” Karhi defended the government’s right to choose not to subsidize what he described as incitement against Israel.
Noa Landau, the deputy editor of Haaretz, criticized the government’s move, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of attempts to undermine independent media, drawing parallels to authoritarian regimes.
Haaretz often publishes critical analyses and investigative reports concerning Israel’s prolonged occupation of Palestinian territories and the conduct of military operations during the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Additionally, in a recent speech, Haaretz’s publisher, Amos Schocken, characterized Israel’s relationship with Palestine as one of “a cruel apartheid regime.” Following backlash, he clarified his stance, acknowledging the inappropriateness of equating Hamas with freedom fighters, asserting that terrorism cannot be legitimized.
In another notable development, Iran’s supreme leader has called for the execution of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, attributing it to his role in the ongoing conflicts with Hamas and Hezbollah.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei articulated this sentiment during remarks at a gathering with members of Iran’s Basij, citing a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Khamenei denounced Israeli actions in Gaza and Lebanon as war crimes, stating that such actions cannot be deemed victorious and stressing that the resistance would grow stronger.
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