Lebanese Prime Minister says increased number of strikes indicates Israel’s “refusal” to ceasefire

Smoke billows from Kfar Qila, pictured from Marjayoun, near the Israeli border, Lebanon (Reuters photo)

BEIRUT: Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati on Friday criticized Israel for “expanding” attacks on his country, saying they signaled an abandonment of attempts to broker a truce after more than a month of war.
“The renewed expansion of the Israeli enemy’s aggression in the Lebanese regions, its repeated threats to the population to evacuate entire towns and villages, and the resumption of destructive attacks on the southern suburbs of Beirut are all indicators that confirm the actions of the Israeli enemy. abandoning all efforts being made to ensure a ceasefire,” Mikati said.
Mikati’s statement came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. officials to discuss a possible deal to end the war in Lebanon.
The Lebanese Prime Minister added that Israel’s diplomatic behavior shows that it rejects the ceasefire.
“Israeli statements and diplomatic signals received by Lebanon confirm Israel’s stubbornness in rejecting proposed solutions and insisting on an approach of killing and destruction,” Mikati said in a statement.
The war in Lebanon has killed at least 1,829 people since fighting escalated in Lebanon on Sept. 23, according to AFP’s health ministry.
Mikati said on Wednesday that US envoy Amos Hochstein had indicated in a telephone call that a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hezbollah was possible before the November 5 US elections.
The same day, Hezbollah’s new leader said the group would agree to a ceasefire with Israel on acceptable terms, but added that a viable deal had not yet been presented.
During talks on Thursday, Israeli leader Netanyahu told US envoys Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk that any agreement with Lebanon must guarantee Israel’s long-term security.