Ceasefire Agreement Claimed Between Nasrallah and Netanyahu Prior to Airstrike
Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib claims that former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to a ceasefire just before Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike. Despite this agreement, Netanyahu rejected the ceasefire proposal the following day. Meanwhile, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei reportedly warned Nasrallah to flee Lebanon due to imminent threats against him.
In a striking revelation, Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib has asserted that both former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had reached an agreement on a ceasefire shortly before Nasrallah’s tragic death due to an airstrike in Beirut on September 27. In an interview with PBS, Minister Bou Habib outlined the diplomatic engagements surrounding the ceasefire, indicating that the decision was communicated to both American and French representatives. Minister Bou Habib explained that following consultations with Hezbollah, the Lebanese leadership, including House Speaker Nabih Berri, agreed to the ceasefire and subsequently informed the United States and France. He emphasized, “He (Nasrallah) agreed, he agreed (to the ceasefire),” underscoring Lebanon’s full compliance with the proposed cessation of hostilities. However, despite the ceasefire being agreed upon, Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected the proposal the day after it was announced, asserting that military operations would continue unabated. This divergence in commitments has occurred amidst an escalation of violence, with Israeli forces conducting what they described as a limited ground incursion against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Adding another layer to the narrative, reports surfaced indicating that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had urged Nasrallah to seek refuge in Iran just days prior to his death, citing intelligence assessments of imminent danger due to suspected Israeli operatives embedded within Hezbollah. The warning, delivered by a high-ranking Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander, underscored the precarious situation faced by Nasrallah and the perilous dynamics of regional conflict.
The recent conflict involving Hezbollah and Israel has escalated dramatically following the events of October 7, when Hamas launched attacks on Israeli territory, igniting a war in Gaza. This renewed violence has resulted in significant casualties, with reports indicating over 1,900 fatalities and approximately 9,000 injuries recorded in Lebanon alone since the onset of hostilities. Amidst this turmoil, diplomatic efforts were made to establish a ceasefire, driven by international leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, who sought to de-escalate tensions. However, key players such as Netanyahu remained resistant to such agreements, continuing military operations.
The assertions made by Minister Bou Habib reveal a complex interplay of diplomacy and conflict in the region leading up to the death of Hassan Nasrallah. The acknowledgment of a ceasefire agreement, juxtaposed with Netanyahu’s subsequent refusal to honor it, highlights the deteriorating situation in Lebanon and the fraught relations within this geopolitical landscape. Furthermore, the reported attempts by Iranian leadership to advise Nasrallah on his safety illustrate the significant threats and vulnerabilities faced by Hezbollah leaders in the ongoing conflict.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
