Israel Sees More Work to Do on Lebanon Ceasefire as Deadline Looms
TEL AVIV (Reuters) – Israel’s government said on Tuesday it still has more work to do to achieve a lasting ceasefire with Lebanon, as a deadline looms for a deal to end a week-long border clash.
The two countries have been engaged in talks to halt the violence, which has killed dozens of people on both sides and threatened to spiral into a full-scale conflict. The deadline for a ceasefire agreement is set to expire on Tuesday evening.
"We are still working to achieve a sustainable and long-term ceasefire, and we still have some differences to overcome," said a senior Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Lebanon and Israel have been at odds over the past week, with the Lebanese military firing rockets into Israel and the Israeli military responding with airstrikes. The violence has also led to protests and clashes in cities across Lebanon.
The two countries have a long history of conflict, with multiple wars and skirmishes taking place along their shared border. The latest escalation began on August 3, when Lebanon accused Israel of attacking one of its military positions, leading to a retaliatory rocket attack by Lebanon.
In the days since, the violence has spread, with both sides exchanging fire and launching airstrikes. The international community has called for a ceasefire, with the United States, France, and other nations urging restraint and diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.
Israel has accused Lebanon of using the conflict as a cover for launching attacks against its territory, while Lebanon has claimed that Israel is trying to undermine its sovereignty and stability.
The Israeli official said that the government was still discussing the terms of a ceasefire with Lebanon, but that there were still significant differences to be overcome.
"We are not yet at the finish line, but we are working hard to achieve a sustainable ceasefire," the official said.
It is unclear whether a deal can be reached before the deadline, but diplomats and officials are hopeful that a agreement can be reached to bring an end to the violence.
"We are doing everything we can to reach a ceasefire as soon as possible," said a senior Lebanese official, speaking on condition of anonymity. "We are committed to finding a peaceful solution to this crisis."
