Israel claims progress in Lebanon cease-fire negotiations

JERUSALEM

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar on Monday claimed progress in negotiations for a cease-fire in Lebanon.

"Progress has been made in the negotiations for a cease-fire in Lebanon, and the main challenge is to implement what is agreed upon," Sa’ar said at a press conference cited by Israeli Channel 12.

The Israeli minister said that Russia can help prevent Hezbollah from rearming through its military presence in Syria.

“Hezbollah's missile capabilities have been severely damaged and mostly destroyed, but Hezbollah as an organization is not finished yet,” he added.

Hezbollah spokesman Mohammad Afif early Monday contested the Israeli claims about destroying the group’s missile stockpile, saying the group’s fighters are prepared for a long war with Israel.

The spokesman stressed that Hezbollah did not receive any official proposal for a cease-fire with Israel.

Israel has escalated its air campaign in Lebanon since late September against what it claims are targets of the Hezbollah group in an escalation from year-long cross-border warfare between Israel and the Lebanese group since the start of Israel’s brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023.

Nearly 3,200 people have been killed and over 13,800 injured in Israeli attacks since October 2023, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Israel expanded the conflict by launching an incursion into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1 this year.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar