US, Lebanon ask Israel to halt attacks ahead of negotiations

Moscow (ANTARA) - Lebanon, through the intermediary of the US, has requested Israel to suspend attacks on its territory ahead of negotiations, according to a report by Axios citing several sources. The US supports Lebanon’s request and is demanding that Israel accept it, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet made a decision on the matter, according to the publication citing two sources familiar with the issue. On Thursday, Netanyahu’s office announced that he had instructed his cabinet to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon, aimed at disarming the Shia movement Hezbollah and building peace between the two parties. Following reports of a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the US, including the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, Hezbollah suspended operations against Israel. However, Israel launched massive airstrikes on Beirut and cities in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, leading the movement to retaliate against those attacks on Thursday.