Nov 27 (CNN) – Israeli Prime Minister Benhamin Netanyahu in a pre-recorded statement Tuesday said there are three “main reasons” he wants a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon now.
Here’s what he said they are:
- “Focus on the Iranian threat”: The prime minister cited this first reason and added that he would not expand on it. Hezbollah is an Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon.
- For the military: A second reason, he said, was to “give our forces a breather and replenish stocks.”
- “Separate the fronts”: Third, he cited Israel’s war in Gaza. “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” release the hostages still in the enclave, he said.
The speech was released after an Israeli official told CNN the security cabinet had approved a ceasefire deal.
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Netanyahu also said the duration of a ceasefire would “depend on what happens in Lebanon.” He said Israel would resume attacks if Hezbollah violated the agreement by rearming, digging tunnels, launching rockets, or rebuilding its infrastructure near the Israeli border.
“With the United States’ full understanding, we maintain full freedom of military action,” he said.
