Netanyahu Rejects Vote on Lebanon Ceasefire Proposal, Saying Hezbollah Opposed It First

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\r\n[Financial News] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would not even hold a cabinet vote on the U.S.-brokered Lebanon ceasefire proposal. He cited the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah's rejection of the deal, although some observers say Netanyahu may be deliberately slowing progress in the talks.
The local outlet Ynet reported on the 5th that Netanyahu rejected ministers' calls for a vote on the ceasefire proposal the previous day. Under U.S. mediation, Israeli and Lebanese delegations had tentatively agreed on a fragile ceasefire framework, but some ministers argued that formal government approval was still required.
Netanyahu, however, drew a clear line, saying, "There is no agreement at this point." He added, "As long as Hezbollah is opposed, I will not make any decision now," and said, "If they agree to the proposal, I will hold a vote to secure cabinet approval."
Naim Qassem, the secretary-general of Hezbollah, said the previous day that the group would not stop attacks on northern Israel as long as Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon continued. Hezbollah is also reported to have formally conveyed its rejection of the U.S.-proposed ceasefire plan to the Lebanese government.
The IDF is also maintaining a hard line. After saying it would continue military operations without withdrawing ground forces stationed in Lebanon, the IDF issued evacuation orders for three villages north of the Litani River in southern Lebanon and signaled further airstrikes.
Avichay Adraee, the IDF's Arabic-language spokesperson, warned that "the Hezbollah terrorist organization is violating the ceasefire agreement and attacking Israel." He added, "Residents of Arnaya, Ankun, and Kfar Fila must evacuate to locations at least 1 kilometer away from residential areas."
As the ceasefire talks remain deadlocked, civilian casualties are also mounting. A source from the Lebanese Civil Defense told AFP that at least seven people were killed in the southern city of Tyre in overnight Israeli airstrikes.
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km@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-min Reporter