EBN- Israel has formally accepted a US-proposed plan for a ceasefire in Lebanon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Tuesday.
The statement read: “The Military-Political Council (the Cabinet) approved the American proposal for a ceasefire with Lebanon this evening. Ten ministers supported the decision, and one opposed it.”
Reuters reported that the United States informed the Lebanese government that the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah will go into effect.
In the first reaction by Hezbollah to the Israeli announcement, Mahmoud Qamati, deputy head of the party’s political council, said, “We doubt Netanyahu’s commitment and we will not allow him to pass a trap with the agreement.”
“We must examine the points that Netanyahu agreed to before the (Lebanese) government signs ,” he added.
The 13-point agreement states the following:
– Hezbollah and all other armed movements in Lebanese territory will not carry out any attack against Israel.
– In return, Israel will not carry out any offensive military action against targets in Lebanon, whether on the ground, in the air or at sea.
– Israel and Lebanon recognize the importance of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
– These obligations do not negate Israel’s or Lebanon’s right to self-defense.
– The official Lebanese security and military forces will further be the only armed forces permitted to carry weapons or operate forces in southern Lebanon.
– The sale, supply or production of arms or arms-related materials in Lebanon will be supervised by the Lebanese government.
– All unauthorized facilities involved in the production of weapons and weapons-related materials will be dismantled.
– All military infrastructure and sites will be dismantled, and all unauthorized weapons that do not comply with these obligations will be confiscated.
– A committee will oversee and assist in ensuring the implementation of these commitments.
– Israel and Lebanon will report any possible violations of these obligations to the Committee and to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
– Lebanon will deploy official security forces and army forces along all borders, crossing points and the demarcation line of the southern area as described in the deployment plan.
– Israel will gradually withdraw from south of the Blue Line over a period of up to 60 days.
– The United States will promote indirect negotiations between Israel and Lebanon to reach a recognized land border.
