Netanyahu flip-flops on Lebanon ceasefire, now claims to share US aims
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Amid US pressure on "Israel" and Netanyahu's flip-flopping, the Prime Minister's Office now asserts that he supports the US objectives regarding the situation.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a press conference at the Government Press office in occupied al-Quds, on September 4, 2024. (AP)
In a statement on Thursday night, the Israeli Prime Minister's office said that "Israel shares the aims" of the US-led initiative for a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s earlier denial of having a private agreement with the US on the ceasefire proposal sparked tensions with the White House, according to Axios. On that note, the statement was released exclusively in English on the Israeli Prime Minister's Office Facebook page, suggesting yet another instance of double-talk by Netanyahu.
It was another example of Netanyahu's back-and-forth in the past 24 hours regarding the Lebanon ceasefire proposal announced on Wednesday, as he distanced himself from the initiative on Thursday morning, bowing to political pressure from his ultranationalist coalition partners despite his involvement in the negotiations.
During a call with reporters, White House spokesperson John Kirby emphasized that the Biden administration wouldn't have put forward the 21-day ceasefire proposal if they hadn't believed the Israeli government was in agreement. This underscores the mounting tensions between the two allies over the evolving situation.
"I don't know why Netanyahu said what he said and I don't know what his considerations were — whether they were political or operational. Ask him why he said that," Kirby said.
Fractures in the alliance
On Thursday, Netanyahu's confidant, Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, met with Biden advisors Brett McGurk and Amos Hochstein. A US official characterized the meeting as tough, reflecting the growing tensions between the two sides.
Later, Dermer met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who emphasized the necessity of securing an agreement on the 21-day ceasefire along the Palestine-Lebanon border, as well as a diplomatic solution that would allow civilians on both sides to safely return to their homes, according to the State Department.
"Further escalation of the conflict will only make that objective more difficult," Blinken told Dermer.
Several hours after these meetings, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office issued a new statement confirming that the US call for a ceasefire had been coordinated with "Israel".
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"Israel shares the aims of the US-led initiative of enabling people along our northern border to return safely and securely to their homes," the statement said, adding that "Israel appreciates the US efforts in this regard because the US role is indispensable in advancing stability and security in the region."
That said, a US official indicated that the Biden administration views the Israeli statement as a retraction that confirms the White House's assertions regarding the Lebanon ceasefire plan.
The official described the statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office as a "non-rejection" of the US-led initiative.
The US official confirmed that the proposal for a ceasefire in Lebanon is still under consideration and that the Biden administration is actively engaged in efforts to advance it. At the same time, the official noted that the US continues to pressure "Israel" against launching a ground invasion of Lebanon.
Amid ceasefire talks: 'Israel' clears further operations in Lebanon, US sends arms aid
Netanyahu's backtracking comes after Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant announced on Thursday that he had authorized a fresh series of military operations against Lebanon in light of the ongoing aggression on the country.
"I have approved the next set of operations that will be executed by the IDF in the northern arena. We continue to eliminate Hezbollah terrorists, dismantle offensive infrastructure, and destroy rockets and missiles," Gallant said in a post on X, leaving out that the strikes have overwhelmingly targeted civilians and civilian areas.
It is also worth mentioning that while the US is pushing for a ceasefire between "Israel" and the Lebanese Resistance, the United States continues its strong backing of the Israeli occupation's war on Gaza, which has been ongoing since October 7.
The Israeli occupation forces have received several rounds of financial and military assistance from the US, in addition to political support and the protection Washington has provided for the ongoing Israeli genocide.
The Israeli military received on Thursday an additional aid package from the US worth $8.7 billion. This support, aimed at "bolstering its ongoing military efforts and maintaining qualitative military superiority in the region," primarily went toward enhancing air defense systems, including the Iron Dome, David's Sling, and the laser-based defense systems.
