Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib has alleged that Hassan Nasrallah and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to a ceasefire shortly before Nasrallah’s death in an Israeli airstrike. This agreement was reportedly communicated to the US and France. Nasrallah was killed in a bunker during the strike, which came against a backdrop of escalating violence that has claimed over 1,900 lives in Lebanon since October 7.
Recent remarks by Lebanon’s Foreign Minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, have purportedly revealed that Hassan Nasrallah, former head of Hezbollah, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had reached an agreement for a ceasefire prior to Nasrallah’s reported death in a targeted airstrike last week. In an interview with an American public broadcaster, Bou Habib stated that this agreement was communicated to representatives of the United States and France. The incident in question occurred on September 27 when Nasrallah was inside a bunker located in the southern Beirut neighborhood of Dahiyeh, which was struck by Israeli forces. While the details of his death remain somewhat ambiguous, sources indicate that he did not suffer direct wounds, suggesting that his demise was likely attributed to the concussive force of the explosion. According to Bou Habib, “He (Nasrallah) agreed, he agreed (to the ceasefire),” and he emphasized that Lebanon was in full accord with the terms of the ceasefire after consulting with Hezbollah. The Foreign Minister mentioned that the Lebanese House Speaker, Nabih Berri, had discussions with Hezbollah before informing American and French officials about the agreement. He noted that both Allied leaders conveyed that Netanyahu also consented to the ceasefire. Although a ceasefire proposal was announced on September 25 following discussions between President Joe Biden and President Emmanuel Macron, Netanyahu opposed the deal, instructing the Israeli military to proceed with ongoing operations. Moreover, it has come to light that prior to the airstrike, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had cautioned Nasrallah to leave Lebanon, based on intelligence indicating that Israeli operatives aimed to assassinate him. This warning was conveyed by a senior commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, who also perished alongside Nasrallah in the attack. Meanwhile, Israel has launched what it characterizes as a “limited” ground incursion targeting Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, amidst escalating violence that has reportedly resulted in over 1,900 fatalities and approximately 9,000 injuries in Lebanon since hostilities began with cross-border skirmishes following the attacks by Hamas on October 7 of the previous year.
The geopolitical tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have a long and complex history, marked by conflict and ceasefire attempts. The recent escalation began after Hamas’s attacks on October 7, spurring significant military responses from both sides. Hassan Nasrallah’s leadership in Hezbollah has always been a crucial factor in Lebanon’s political landscape, and the implications of his death could have far-reaching consequences for the balance of power in the region. The involvement of foreign powers like the United States and France reflects the broader international interests in stabilizing the region and mitigating the humanitarian crisis that has emerged from ongoing hostilities. The reports of Khamenei’s warning to Nasrallah also underscore the intricate web of alliances and rivalries that characterize Middle Eastern politics.
In summary, the recent claims regarding an alleged ceasefire agreement between Hassan Nasrallah and Benjamin Netanyahu, made by Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, highlight the complicated dynamics at play amidst ongoing conflict. Despite initial agreements communicated to international allies, the situation escalated rapidly with Netanyahu’s refusal to uphold the ceasefire. The context of Khamenei’s warning adds another layer of complexity to the unfolding events in Lebanon, where thousands have already lost their lives amid violent confrontations with Israel.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
