Netanyahu’s office says Israel ‘shares aims of US-led initiative’ for Lebanon truce

Israeli and American teams meet to discuss the US initiative for a ceasefire in Lebanon, says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, and “how we can advance the shared goal of returning people safely to their homes. We will continue those discussions in the coming days.”

Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, one of Netanyahu’s top advisers, met with US special envoy Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk, the US National Security Council’s Mideast czar.

The Prime Minister’s Office also issues another “clarification” after statements from both the US and France that Israel had indicated it would support the 21-day ceasefire proposed by Washington and Paris prior to its unveiling yesterday.

“Due to a lot of misreporting around the US-led ceasefire initiative, it is important to clarify a few points,” says the statement from Netanyahu’s office.

“Earlier this week, the United States shared with Israel its intention to put forward, together with other international and regional partners, a ceasefire proposal in Lebanon,” the statement continues.

“Israel shares the aims of the US-led initiative of enabling people along our northern border to return safely and securely to their homes,” the Prime Minister’s Office adds, saying it appreciates the US efforts.