Israel and lebanon

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam assured reporters on Wednesday that Lebanon was not heading towards normalization but towards peace with Israel.

In a lengthy statement, Qassem accused Israel of systematically violating the ceasefire, claiming it had breached the agreement “more than ten thousand times.”

Israeli officials have argued that continued Hezbollah attacks against IDF troops and northern communities are eroding the chances of reaching an agreement and undermining Israel’s deterrence.

Dichter, a member of the security cabinet, offered a rare glimpse on Wednesday into the decision-making constraints shaping Israel’s conduct on the northern front.

Rubio called the shooting an “unfortunate situation” that an individual could disrupt the important event, and said, "That’s kind of the world we live in right now.”

The US-mediated ceasefire, which is set to expire on Sunday, has yielded a significant reduction in violence, but attacks have continued in southern Lebanon.

The new buffer zone reflects Israel’s long-term security strategy, with gas concerns secondary to countering Hezbollah.

Both countries also recognize that Hezbollah’s activity “must be curtailed,” as Lebanon’s security forces are the only ones authorized to bear arms.

"It seems a ceasefire in Lebanon is getting closer," the source told The Jerusalem Post, adding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump talked on Thursday.

The key question is why Lebanon, which until recently boycotted Israel, labeled it an enemy and avoided any form of public engagement, is now actively seeking direct talks.