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Lebanon says US ceasefire proposal unacceptable, talks ongoing
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has confirmed a ceasefire proposal sent by the US is being considered but the text was unacceptable to Lebanon as it stood, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) reports.
Berri said the proposal included the formation of a committee to supervise the implementation of UN Resolution 1701, which mandates the disarmament of Hezbollah and its withdrawal from the border with Israel beyond the Litani River.
The speaker said this mechanism was objectionable but added discussions were still taking place in a “positive atmosphere”.
Berri also dismissed reports that the proposal included the deployment of NATO forces or other forces in Lebanon or any kind of freedom of movement for the Israeli army in Lebanon.
Israeli attacks killed 59 people in Lebanon yesterday
Fifty-nine people were killed in Israeli attacks across the country on Thursday, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said. The death toll has now climbed to 3,445 with 14,599 wounded since attacks between Hezbollah and Israel started more than a year ago.
Unexploded Israeli shell hits UNIFIL base in Lebanon
Italy said an unexploded artillery shell hit the base of the Italian contingent in the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani spoke to his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar and protested Israeli attacks against its personnel and infrastructure in UNIFIL, an Italian statement said.
Tajani said the safety of the soldiers in UNIFIL had to be ensured and stressed “the unacceptability” of the attacks. UNIFIL said that deliberate attacks on peacekeepers are a grave violation of humanitarian laws.
People in Lebanon believe destruction, killing part of Israel’s strategy
The bombardment of Beirut’s southern suburbs – an area regarded as a Hezbollah stronghold – has been the most intense and heaviest yet as Israel escalates its war on the armed group. It’s been nearly nonstop since Tuesday.
Every few hours, the Israeli military issues a forced evacuation order and more of the people who’ve stayed in these largely abandoned neighbourhoods are forced to leave.
The World Bank says Israeli strikes have partially or completely destroyed 100,000 homes across Lebanon in recent weeks and losses amount to more than $3bn. People here believe the destruction and killing are part of a strategy by Israel to pressure Hezbollah to agree to its conditions to end the war.
A new ceasefire proposal was presented by the US. It coincided with the arrival of Iranian official Ali Larijani in Beirut.He reiterated Iran’s support for Hezbollah and met the Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, who is indirectly negotiating with Israel on behalf of the group.
Lebanon says efforts are being made to reach an understanding to end the war.
