Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announces a calm in Lebanon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his support for a peace deal in Lebanon after gathering his “security cabinet” to discuss the US and French plan.

Israeli Channel 12 reported that the government agreed to the ceasefire after two months of escalating attacks on Lebanon.

Netanyahu said Tuesday that Hezbollah would decide how long the calm would last when he announced the deal. “We will be able to move around freely. If Hezbollah positions rockets, we will attack.”

We will respond forcefully to any violation,” he added.

Netanyahu, however, said he would bring the full cabinet an outline of the ceasefire deal with Hezbollah for final approval.

He said the ceasefire agreement means that Israel can now focus on the “Iranian threat”, adding, “We are changing the face of the region.”

Netanyahu said the ceasefire will also allow the Israeli military to take a rest and to focus on the Gaza Strip.

The United States and France are expected to announce the ceasefire deal in a joint statement.

Hezbollah has previously said that a total end to Israeli aggression and protection of Lebanon’s sovereignty were its conditions for accepting any ceasefire deal.