Hezbollah's Leader Hassan Nasrallah Agreed to Ceasefire Before Assassination, Claims Lebanese Foreign Minister
In a shocking revelation, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib confirmed that Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, had agreed to a temporary ceasefire just days before his assassination by Israeli forces. In an interview with CNN aired this morning, Habib detailed how this agreement was reached and communicated to key international players including the United States and France.
The proposed 21-day ceasefire was presented during a meeting at the United Nations General Assembly last week between US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron among other allies. Bou Habib explained that after consulting with Hezbollah, the Lebanese government was in complete accord regarding the ceasefire. "We were completely in agreement. Lebanon accepted a ceasefire but consulting with Hezbollah," he stated.
According to Habib, the agreement was communicated to the Americans and French, who in turn informed Lebanon that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was also on board with the ceasefire initiative. This diplomatic engagement took place despite the prevailing tensions and ongoing violence in the region.
"The President of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, consulted with Hezbollah and we informed the Americans and French of what had happened. They told us that Mr. Netanyahu agreed with this and then we also got Hezbollah's agreement on this," Habib elaborated.
Unfortunately, the complex geopolitical landscape took a tragic turn when Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut, known as Dahye. This incident occurred amidst a fierce bombing campaign that has reportedly claimed nearly 2,000 lives and caused the displacement of 12 million people.
The ceasefire, which was meant to alleviate the escalating violence in the region, has now been overshadowed by the unexpected turn of events. Days following Nasrallah's assassination, Israel launched a ground invasion in southern Lebanon, raising concerns about further escalation.
Given that neither Israel nor Hezbollah have commented on these developments, the situation remains tense and unpredictable. The assassination has not only dealt a blow to Hezbollah but has also led to heightened anxieties within Lebanon and the broader Middle East region.
In summary, the international community watched closely as the parameters for peace appeared to be set. However, with the sudden escalation of violence and the loss of a key figure in Hezbollah, the prospects for a peaceful resolution seem more elusive than ever.
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