A senior Iranian source claimed Wednesday on Al-Mayadeen that, following pressure from Tehran, a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon would take effect overnight and last about a week.
A senior Israeli official, however, said there had been no decision on a ceasefire in Lebanon and stressed that there had been no change in policy, contrary to reports published by media outlets identified with Iran.
Against that backdrop, Lebanese sources told the newspaper Ad-Diyar that a round of negotiations between Israel and Lebanon ended without a breakthrough after Israel insisted on continuing the fighting while also holding diplomatic talks, making clear that there was no link between the diplomatic track and military activity.
At the same time, Lebanese channel MTV reported that Lebanon's ambassador to the US, Nada Mouawad, had updated Lebanese President Joseph Aoun that the Americans had expressed a positive approach toward Lebanon's demand for a ceasefire. According to the report, Aoun said the diplomatic process had begun and that any Israeli shift in position would be a significant step. He also stressed that Lebanon "would not give up a grain of its land."
It was also reported that the Lebanese side had backed away from its demand for a full ceasefire and had settled for a call for a temporary pause as part of an effort to advance a broader framework for continued talks.
At the same time, senior Hezbollah official Wafiq Safa made clear that the terrorist organization would not honor any agreement reached during the talks. The Amal Movement also voiced opposition to direct negotiations with Israel.
