Netanyahu Outlines 3 Key Reasons for Israel's Ceasefire Deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon

As the Israeli security cabinet voted in favor of a ceasefire deal to end the fighting with the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement on Tuesday that there are three "main reasons" he wants a truce now. an Israeli official told the media.

"The first reason is to focus on the Iranian threat, and I won't expand on that. The second reason is to give our forces a breather and replenish stocks. And I say it openly, it is no secret that there have been big delays in weapons and munitions deliveries. These delays will be resolved soon. We will receive supplies of advanced weaponry that will keep our soldiers safe and give us more strike force to complete our mission. And the third reason for having a ceasefire is to separate the fronts and isolate Hamas. From day two of the war, Hamas was counting on Hezbollah to fight by its side. With Hezbollah out of the picture, Hamas is left on its own. We will increase our pressure on Hamas and that will help us in our sacred mission of releasing our hostages," Netanyahu said.

The Israeli PM's speech was issued after an Israeli official said that the security cabinet had ratified a ceasefire deal.

According to Netanyahu, the duration of a ceasefire would "depend on what happens in Lebanon".

He said Israel would resume attacks if Hezbollah violated the agreement by rearming, digging tunnels, launching rockets, or rebuilding its infrastructure near the Israeli border.

"With the United States' full understanding, we maintain full freedom of military action," he said.

Israel and Lebanon have been in a protracted conflict that started on October 8 last year, when Hezbollah attacked Israeli-controlled territory in solidarity with Hamas and Palestinians in Gaza, according to CNN.

This incident led to a series of tit-for-tat border attacks, which eventually escalated into a major military offensive launched by Israel in mid-September.

The war has been seen through the ground invasion of Israel and resulted in the deaths of several Hezbollah leaders and their thousands of injuries after exploding pagers attack, although efforts are still made towards negotiation for a ceasefire.