PM told mediators he backed 21-day Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire before it was announced, diplomat tells ToI

NEW YORK — Israel and Lebanon privately gave mediators their support for a 21-day ceasefire on the Blue Line that separates the two countries before it was announced in a joint statement led by the US and France last night, a senior Western diplomat tells The Times of Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quickly distanced himself from the proposal after it was announced, saying Israel has yet to respond and that the IDF would continue striking Hezbollah with full force.

The Western diplomat says Netanyahu’s conduct is an extension of how he has handled the Gaza hostage talks, in which he has privately agreed to show flexibility only to make public statements immediately afterward aimed at calming his political base but that risk thwarting progress in negotiations.