US President Donald Trump spoke with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun this afternoon (Thursday) and informed him of an imminent ceasefire.
An Israeli source confirmed that, as a result of American pressure, there is a move closer to a settlement, but no final agreement has yet been reached.
A few minutes after the media reports, the terrorist organization Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets at Haifa and the suburbs. Some of the rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome system and others fell in open areas.
The Qatari Al-Arabi channel reported from a presidential source in Lebanon that President Trump established direct contact with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and gave him an official notice of a decision for a ceasefire that will take effect "within hours.".
According to reports, the Americans were the ones who initiated the talks, thinking that direct talks between the parties would lead to the declaration of a permanent or temporary ceasefire.
Earlier today, Aoun also spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. A Lebanese source claimed that during the conversation, Rubio suggested including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a joint conversation - but President Aoun firmly refused.
After Aoun did not respond to Trump's earlier announcement of a three-way conversation, Rubio informed the Lebanese president that President Trump would continue the contact with him.
Reports in Lebanon emphasized that Aoun "insisted on an immediate ceasefire" and received a promise from his commanders to increase efforts.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Israel's terms for a ceasefire with Lebanon. According to the report, it wants to maintain the IDF's grip on a deep security strip inside southern Lebanon in the event of a ceasefire with Hezbollah, and also to maintain military freedom of action.
Aoun's office said that a ceasefire that Lebanon demands from Israel would constitute a natural entry into direct negotiations between the two countries. He also emphasized that Lebanon will be the one to conduct negotiations, since this is a sovereign issue in which no one else can participate.
