Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to discuss a proposed temporary ceasefire with Hezbollah during talks at the UN General Assembly, an Israeli official told CNN.
While the prime minister rejected suggestions of an immediate ceasefire – insisting instead that the Israeli army would continue to fight “with full force” – Netanyahu did not deny reports that the US was pushing for a 21-day ceasefire. .
The cease-fire plan was proposed by the US and its allies in an attempt to end wider fighting in the region and was described as a “significant advance” by a senior US official.
Here’s what else to know:
• Netanyahu comments: Netanyahu’s office said in a statement in response to reports that a ceasefire was “imminent”. , an Israeli source said the main reason for Netanyahu’s trip to the UNGA was diplomatic talks and that “Israel wants a diplomatic solution.”
• Cessation Plan: Details are scant, but we do know that the US and its allies are pushing for a 21-day ceasefire that would allow for a pause in the fighting and a diplomatic catch-up. President Joe Biden said that the United States, Australia, Canada, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar have approved the plan.
• Right-wing politicians angry at Netanyahu: Right-wing Israeli ministers on Thursday expressed anger at the US’s push for a week-long ceasefire in Lebanon and the silence of their own prime minister. Far-right finance minister Bezalel Smodrich said in X: “The enemy must not be given time to recover from heavy blows.”
• The strikes continue: Israel’s military says it struck 75 targets in Lebanon overnight. The military added that it was continuing to “destroy and degrade” Hezbollah’s infrastructure and capabilities. Meanwhile, the Israeli military said sirens sounded in northern Israel as about 45 rockets were fired from Lebanon this morning.
• Thousands were displaced: Fleeing Israeli bombardment, thousands of displaced people in Lebanon have moved to Sidon on the Mediterranean coast, where shelter schools have been opened for them. Read their stories here. Separately, 70,000 people are registered in shelters across the country.
“Friend of animals everywhere. Devoted analyst. Total alcohol scholar. Infuriatingly humble food trailblazer.”