Lebanon’s PM says ‘expansion’ of Israeli strikes signals rejection of ceasefire efforts

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati criticizes Israel’s “expansion” of its attacks on his country, saying they indicated a rejection of efforts to broker a truce after more than a month of war.

“The Israeli enemy’s renewed expansion of the scope of its aggression on Lebanese regions, its repeated threats to the population to evacuate entire cities and villages, and its renewed targeting of the southern suburbs of Beirut with destructive raids are all indicators that confirm the Israeli enemy’s rejection of all efforts being made to secure a ceasefire,” Mikati says.

Mikati’s statement comes a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met visiting US officials to discuss a possible deal to end the war in Lebanon.

The Lebanese premier adds that Israel’s diplomatic behavior suggested it was rejecting a ceasefire.

“Israeli statements and diplomatic signals that Lebanon received confirm Israel’s stubbornness in rejecting the proposed solutions and insisting on the approach of killing and destruction,” Mikati says in a statement.

On Wednesday, Mikati said US envoy Amos Hochstein had signaled during a phone call that a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war was possible before US elections are held on November 5.

The same day, Hezbollah’s new leader said the group would agree to a ceasefire with Israel under acceptable terms, but added that a viable deal has yet to be presented.