US, France set to announce Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire

KABUL (Pajhwok): US President Joe Biden and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron will soon announce a ceasefire in Lebanon between Hezbollah and the Israeli army, a media report said on Tuesday.

Reuters citing senior officials in Lebanon reported: “US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to announce a ceasefire between Lebanon's Hezbollah and Israel within 36 hours under existing plans.”

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told Reuters: “We're close, but nothing gets done until everything gets done.”

In Paris, officials just said talks were ongoing. The Israeli cabinet is due to meet today (Tuesday) to approve the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah.

Clashes between the Israeli army and Hezbollah began on October 2023, simultaneously with Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. These clashes have spiked sharply in Lebanon in the past two months.

hz/mud