After an Iranian report claimed a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon would begin overnight, a senior Israeli official said there had been no change in policy. The comments came amid continuing talks and threats by Hezbollah not to honor any agreement.
Senior IDF officials say that, as far as the military is concerned, troops will remain in the area "until long-term security for residents of the north is guaranteed." The IDF reports extensive operations in southern Lebanon, with the main focus on Bint Jbeil, a Hezbollah stronghold.
The IDF has encircled the southern Lebanese town where Hezbollah's slain leader delivered his infamous "Spider's Web" speech – killing more than 100 terrorists and dismantling dozens of terror infrastructure sites.
Lebanon insists on a ceasefire before talks begin; Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam was advised not to travel to the US to avoid a "potential ambush."
An initial call is set to take place between Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, and the incoming Lebanese ambassador. The conversation is only a first step ahead of the launch of official negotiations early next week.
Israel Hayom has learned that contacts and message exchanges between Israel and the Lebanese government continued for many months, for more than a year, and included coordination over dealings with Hezbollah. Since the start of the current conflict, the pace of the contacts has increased. A Lebanese source told Reuters that Beirut wants a temporary ceasefire in order to hold direct dialogue with Israel.
Britain, Italy and France pledged to pressure Israel, even as Washington told Lebanon's president the country would remain outside the Iran ceasefire deal.
Within 10 minutes and across several areas simultaneously, the IDF carried out a major blow against about 100 command centers and military infrastructure sites belonging to Hezbollah. It was the IDF's largest strike in Lebanon since the start of the current campaign.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif claimed that an immediate ceasefire would take effect between Israel and Hezbollah. US sources were quoted as saying that “nothing is finalized yet.”
The Golani fighter from Petah Tikva fell in a face-to-face firefight with terrorists during an overnight ground operation; he was two months from discharge.
