Report: Hezbollah Would Halt Fire on Israel If Ceasefire Reached in Gaza

Israel is sending the opposite message, threatening strikes on Lebanon would escalate if there was a ceasefire in Gaza

Hezbollah would halt fire on Israel if Hamas agrees to a hostage deal that includes a ceasefire unless Israel continues to bomb southern Lebanon, Reuters reported on Tuesday.

During the previous hostage deal that resulted in a seven-day truce in Gaza, there was calm across the Lebanon-Israel border. But in recent months, the situation has been escalating, and Israel has been hitting targets deeper inside Lebanon.

“The moment Hamas announces its approval of the truce, and the moment the truce is declared, Hezbollah will adhere to the truce and will stop operations in the south immediately, as happened the previous time,” a source close to Hezbollah told Reuters.

Israel has sent the opposite message, with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant threatening an escalation of strikes if a hostage deal is reached.

“In the event of a temporary truce in Gaza – we will increase the fire in the north independently, and will continue until the full withdrawal of Hezbollah and the return of the residents to their homes,” Gallant said over the weekend.

France has been trying to mediate a deal between Hezbollah and Israel and submitted a written proposal that would involve Hezbollah withdrawing six miles from the Israeli border. But Hezbollah has said it would only enter talks once there was a ceasefire in Gaza.

According to AFP, Israeli strikes on Lebanon have killed 284 people, including 44 civilians. The Israeli military has said Hezbollah’s attacks have killed 10 Israeli soldiers and six civilians.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.