Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office clarified on Thursday that reports of a ceasefire with Hezbollah are inaccurate.
The statement emphasized that Netanyahu has not responded to the U.S.-French proposal for de-escalation.
The Prime Minister’s office further clarified that claims about instructions to de-escalate military operations in the north are untrue, asserting that Netanyahu has directed the military to continue fighting with full force according to the planned strategy.
Earlier, Israeli media reported that a senior official in Netanyahu’s office had indicated a green light for a ceasefire on the northern front to allow space for negotiations.
In a joint statement, U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the importance of reaching a settlement along the Israel-Lebanon border that ensures security and safety, allowing civilians to return home.
The statement highlighted that the exchange of fire since October 7, particularly over the past two weeks, risks sparking a broader conflict and endangering civilians.
Biden and Macron noted that Washington and Paris have jointly called for a ceasefire in recent days to give diplomacy a chance to succeed and prevent further escalation across the border.
The proposal has also been endorsed by Australia, Canada, the European Union, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
