Hezbollah: Ceasefire with Israel must end violence

A possible ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel should mean a quick end to the fighting and also preserve Lebanon's sovereignty, a senior leader within Hezbollah said on the organization's television channel. There is a proposal for a ceasefire, but Mahmoud Qmati said he thinks it could still go either way.

The proposal was brokered by the US. Lebanon and Iranian-backed Hezbollah have basically agreed, according to sources, but Israel has not. Qmati's comments on the proposal seem to refer to Israel's intention to continue attacking Hezbollah, even if there is a ceasefire. He says he is not overly optimistic, but he is also not pessimistic that it will work.

The French foreign minister, in an interview with Europe 1, called on both parties to agree to the agreement. "This is an opportunity to establish a lasting truce in Lebanon, which will allow the return of refugees and guarantee the sovereignty of Lebanon and the security of Israel," said Jean-Noël Barrot. Lebanon was previously under French rule.