John Kirby, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, was questioned about remarks made by Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, who dismissed the ceasefire proposal in Lebanon put forth by the United States and France.
“We would not have made the statement if we had doubts that the talks with the Israelis were positive,” Kirby declared.
“Netanyahu should be asked if he retracted his agreement. I can only say that, based on the conversations last night, we had every reason to believe that he was sincere in his intentions,” he continued.
Earlier, after arriving in New York for his address to the UN General Assembly, Netanyahu spoke with reporters, stating, “My policy, our policy, is clear: we continue to strike Hezbollah with full force. We will not stop until we reach our goals and above all the return of the residents of the north to their homes. That is the policy, and may no one be mistaken.”
In response to reports suggesting a possible ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, Netanyahu’s office asserted, “The reports of a ceasefire are not true. This is a French-American initiative that the Prime Minister has not even responded to.”
“The reports of an instruction to moderate the fighting in the north is also the opposite of the truth. The Prime Minister instructed the IDF to continue the fighting with full force, and according to the plans presented to him. As well, the fighting in Gaza will continue until all of the goals of the war are achieved.”
On Wednesday evening, US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron called for a 21-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
This request was included in a joint statement that received support from Australia, Canada, the European Union, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
{Matzav.com}