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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that there is currently no agreement with Lebanon, despite U.S.-led efforts to end the fighting, according to Israeli public broadcaster KAN.
Netanyahu made the remarks at the start of a meeting of Israel’s Security Cabinet.
He said a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon “is not yet finalized” and stressed that, from Israel’s perspective, no agreement currently exists because of Hezbollah’s opposition to the proposed terms.
“The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon has not been fully formulated and is not yet complete,” Netanyahu said, according to KAN.
“Hezbollah opposes it, and therefore, from Israel’s perspective, there is no current agreement,” Netanyahu said.
He added that U.S. President Donald Trump is “a strategic partner of Israel,” which he said requires continued communication and discussions between the sides involved.
Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir told ministers that the political leadership must decide the next phase.
He said the army is also prepared to expand the fighting if such a decision is made.
“If a ceasefire can be reached on terms acceptable to us, it is better that it happens today rather than a month later under the same conditions,” Zamir was quoted as saying.
Israeli and American sources told KAN that Israel’s proposed conditions include the demilitarization of southern Lebanon up to the Litani River.
The conditions also include maintaining the security zone controlled by Israeli forces and guaranteeing freedom of action against what Israel describes as “immediate threats.”
A joint Lebanese-U.S.-Israeli statement announced Thursday that Beirut and Tel Aviv had agreed during Washington talks to implement a ceasefire based on a complete halt to Hezbollah attacks and the withdrawal of all Hezbollah members from the area south of the Litani River.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the U.S. would determine the timing and mechanism for implementing the truce, which could begin within 24 hours of approval.
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem rejected the outcome of the direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.
Israel has intensified military operations in Lebanon in recent days, claiming Hezbollah is violating a ceasefire agreement announced April 17 and extended until early July.
Israel has violated the agreement daily through deadly bombardment and the widespread demolition of homes, while Hezbollah has responded by firing rockets and drones at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon and northern Israel.
Israel occupies areas in southern Lebanon, including some held for decades and others seized during the 2023-2024 conflict.
During the current offensive, Israeli forces advanced more than 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory, their deepest incursion since 2000.
More than 3,500 people have been killed and over 10,000 injured in Israeli attacks across Lebanon since March 2, according to Lebanese officials.
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