Lebanon and Israel could agree to ceasefire 'within days', Lebanese prime minister says
Israel has continued with airstrikes on parts of southern Lebanon as its operation against Hezbollah continues.
In short:
Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati says he is "optimistic" that Israel and Lebanon could agree to a ceasefire in the "coming hours or days".
It comes as Israel's public broadcaster publishes what it said was a draft agreement providing for an initial 60-day truce.
Meanwhile, Israel says it has killed the deputy leader of Hezbollah's special forces and the Lebanese health ministry says 19 people have been killed in Lebanon's Baalbek region.
Lebanon's prime minister has expressed hope that a ceasefire deal with Israel would be announced within days, as Israel's public broadcaster published what it said was a draft agreement providing for an initial 60-day truce.
The document, which broadcaster Kan said was a leaked proposal written by Washington, said Israel would withdraw its forces from Lebanon within the first week of the 60-day ceasefire.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army says it has killed the deputy head of Hezbollah's special forces unit during an "intelligence-directed" strike in Lebanon.
In a post on X, a spokesperson for the Israeli military said Mustafa Ahmad Shadadi had been killed in the country's south.
It added that he was second-in-command of Hezbollah's Radwan Force and was responsible for operations in Syria and overseeing terror attacks in southern Lebanon.
The announcement came as the Israeli army issued a warning to residents in the southern Lebanese region of Nabatieh to evacuate their homes.
It was the second evacuation request in Lebanon on Wednesday, after Israeli authorities issued a warning to residents in the northern Lebanese town of Baalbek.
It is the first time residents in the country's north have been warned to leave their homes.
Baalbek's mayor later reported strikes had hit the city and its outskirts.
Hours later, the Lebanese health ministry said 19 people were killed, including eight women, after strikes in two towns in Lebanon's Baalbek region.
The Israeli military said the strikes targeted fuel reservoirs within Hezbollah military complexes.
Hezbollah said it also launched drones and missiles at three military positions in northern Israel, claiming it had bypassed Israeli defences.
A local civil defence representative said following the alert, there had been "panic" as people attempted to leave.
Lebanon, Israel could agree to ceasefire within days, says Lebanese PM
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said he had not believed a ceasefire deal with Israel would be possible until after Tuesday's US presidential election, but became optimistic after speaking with US envoy for the Middle East Amos Hochstein, who was due to travel to Israel on Thursday.
"Hochstein, during his call with me, suggested to me that we could reach an agreement before the end of the month and before November 5th," Mr Mikati told Lebanon's Al Jadeed television.
"We are doing everything we can and we should remain optimistic that in the coming hours or days, we will have a ceasefire," he said.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikat expressed hope on Wednesday that a ceasefire deal with Israel would be announced within days.
The draft published by Kan was dated Saturday, and when asked to comment, White House national security spokesperson Sean Savett said there are "many reports and drafts circulating" and "they do not reflect the current state of negotiations".
But Mr Savett did not respond to a query on whether the version published by Kan was at least the basis for further negotiations.
The Israeli network said the draft had been presented to Israel's leaders.
Israeli officials did not immediately comment.
"We are doing everything we can and we should remain optimistic that in the coming hours or days, we will have a ceasefire," Mikati said.
New Hezbollah leader vows war with Israel to continue
The killing of Ahmad Shadadi came a day after Hezbollah elected Naim Qassem to succeed Hassan Nasrallah as the new leader of the terror group.
On Wednesday, Qassem committed the organisation to continuing its war with Israel.
He added the movement "was not fighting on anyone's behalf", adding that Iran "supports us but doesn't want anything" in return.
Lebanon's Hezbollah new leader Sheikh Naim Qassem vowed his organisation was not doing Iran's bidding.
On Tuesday, Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said Qassem's appointment would be "temporary".
As Israel's operation in Lebanon continues, US mediators are working on a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in the country, according to Reuters.
The newsagency cited two sources, including a senior diplomat in Lebanon.
"There is an earnest push to get to a ceasefire, but it is still hard to get it to materialise," the diplomat told Reuters.
It would involve adopting measures to keep southern Lebanon free of arms outside of state control.
Two officials from the White House are expected to arrive in Israel on Thursday.
A similar push for a ceasefire in Gaza is also reportedly underway.
Israeli strikes in Gaza kill 20
Israel also continued operations in the Gaza Strip, with Palestinian medics saying 20 people were killed on Wednesday.
It follows a strike on Tuesday in northern Gaza, which left at least 93 people killed or missing.
The US State Department described the strike as "horrifying" and urged Israel to explain its actions.
Rescue efforts are continuing in Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, a day after an Israeli airstrike.
A doctor at a local hospital said a lack of medical supplies and damaged hospitals meant healthcare workers were struggling to help people presenting with injuries from air strikes and gunfire.
The Israeli military assault that has laid waste to the Gaza Strip and killed tens of thousands of people shows no signs of slowing as Israel wages a new war in Lebanon and its backer the United States tries after a year of failed attempts to broker ceasefires for both.
Northern Gaza, where Israel said in January it had dismantled militant group Hamas' command structure, is currently the focus of the military's assault.
Reuters/AFP
By：ABC(责任编辑：admin)
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