From the Liveblog of
Sunday, November 10, 2024
Gantz rejects pressure for Lebanon ceasefire, urges IDF to hit Hezbollah harder
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Israel should ignore international pressure for a ceasefire in Lebanon, National Unity party head Benny Gantz declares in a pre-recorded message, calling for the military to increase pressure on Hezbollah.
“The main goal in the north is to return the [displaced] residents safely. It should have happened by September first [the first day of school], which is long past,” says Gantz, a former army chief who was part of the war cabinet for several months.
In order to ensure the swift return of the displaced residents, “we must not agree to a unilateral ceasefire,” he says. “Just the opposite. Even if the international pressure is increasing, the intensity of the attacks should be increased.”
He calls for an agreement “that will neutralize Hezbollah, and guarantee us freedom of action in the face of any violation” before Israel agrees to halt its military offensive.
According to Army Radio, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer reportedly visited Russia last week in what appeared to be part of Israel’s efforts to reach a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Dermer then flew to Washington on Saturday night for talks with US officials, the Ynet outlet reported.
The Biden administration has been making a final push for a ceasefire in recent days and incoming US president Donald Trump has informed the White House that he expects to see progress in the efforts to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, according to Ynet.
Trump proxies have repeatedly warned that the Republican wants Israel’s wars wrapped up by the time he takes office on January 20.
