Lebanon Ceasefire Could Take Effect This Week – Report

MOSCOW, April 16 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) — A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon could come into effect as early as this week amid United States (US) pressure to reduce tensions in West Asia, according to the Financial Times, which cited Lebanese officials, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.

A truce between Israel and the Lebanese movement Hezbollah could come into effect after Israeli ground forces complete the capture of the key town of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon, the report said on Wednesday.

According to Lebanese officials, if a ceasefire is declared in Lebanon, its duration will likely depend on the duration of the US-Iran truce, the report read, adding that a ceasefire would mean an end to Israeli strikes, not a withdrawal of Israeli troops.

However, a ceasefire in Lebanon is not part of the peace talks between the US and Iran, the report noted.

"This is not something we have asked for nor is it part of the peace negotiations with Iran, but the president would welcome the end of hostilities in Lebanon as part of a peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon," a senior US official was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

The escalation between Israel and Hezbollah began on March 2, when the Lebanese movement resumed rocket attacks on Israeli territory amid the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran.

In response, Israel launched large-scale strikes on Lebanon, including the southern regions, the Beqaa Valley, and the suburbs of Beirut. On March 16, the Israeli military officially announced the launch of a ground operation in southern Lebanon.

Following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the US last week, Hezbollah suspended its operations against Israel.

The movement's combat operations resumed on April 9 after Israel launched a massive strike on Beirut and towns in southern Lebanon the day before.

-- BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI