Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that Israel will provide an opportunity to advance an integrated diplomatic and military solution with the Lebanese government.
"For the first time in 43 years, Israeli representatives are talking directly with Lebanese ones. The road to peace is still long, but we have started it. One of our hands holds a weapon, the other hand reaches out for peace," Netanyahu said in a statement.
He said Israel has, for the first time, created a deep security zone in southern Lebanon, along Israel's entire northern border, where Israeli forces remain, "completely removing the imminent threat of invasion and anti-tank fire."
He said Israel has also removed the danger of Hezbollah firing 150,000 missiles and rockets, "which were intended to destroy Israeli cities."
However, "Israel has not yet finished the job," he said, adding, "There are things we plan to do against the remaining rockets and drones' threat, and I will not go into detail."
He said Israel has another goal of dismantling Hezbollah, which "requires sustained effort, patience, and intelligent navigation in the political arena."
The Israeli army announced in a statement Friday afternoon that the entire country will move to full activity levels "with no restrictions," in accordance with the relevant security guidelines.
According to the guidelines, gathering restrictions are lifted nationwide, except in border regions near Lebanon where a 1,000-person cap remains until 20:00 Saturday.
In addition, schools and workplaces across the country will resume normal operations.
This is the first time Israel had fully lifted the restrictions since the United States and Israel launched large-scale military operations against Iran on February 28, according to the statement.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Friday that Lebanon has entered a new phase focused on negotiating permanent agreements to safeguard the rights of its people, the unity of its territory, and the sovereignty of the state.
In an address to the Lebanese people, Aoun said the country is moving from ceasefire implementation efforts toward securing long-term stability.
Aoun said negotiations are not a sign of weakness or retreat, but rather a sovereign decision to protect Lebanon's interests, prevent further loss of life, and end displacement.
Aoun outlined the main objectives for the upcoming phase, including halting Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory, ensuring the withdrawal of Israeli forces, securing the return of prisoners, enabling the safe return of displaced citizens, and restoring the state's full authority across all Lebanese territories.
He also called for national unity under a single state authority, constitution, and armed force, warning against internal divisions and external agendas.
A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect at midnight between Thursday and Friday local time (2100 GMT), following an earlier announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump. The truce aims to end more than a month of deadly escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, which has claimed over 2,000 lives.
Netanyahu says to advance diplomatic, military solution with Lebanese gov't, hasn't finished job against Hezbollah
Netanyahu says to advance diplomatic, military solution with Lebanese gov't, hasn't finished job against Hezbollah
