Hebrew media exposes the reason for Netanyahu’s acceptance of settlement talks with the Lebanese factions movement, including Gaza and Lebanon

Another source familiar with the negotiations added, “Reaching a settlement with the Lebanese factions movement will require that it also include something related to the Gaza Strip.”

“I cannot reveal everything we are doing, but I can confirm that we are determined to return the residents of the north to their homes safely,” Netanyahu said in a video statement.

According to Channel 11, Netanyahu and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer are pushing “towards a time-bound settlement in the north to advance a prisoner exchange deal” with the Palestinian factions movement.

The channel reported that the Israeli security services support this move; on the other hand, the head of the Religious Zionism Party, Bezalel Smotrich, and a number of ministers in the political security cabinet called for continuing the attack on Lebanon.

The initiative led by Netanyahu and Dermer aims to reverse the insistence of the Secretary-General of the Lebanese factions to link events on the Lebanese and Palestinian fronts, in favor of Israel, and to put “the loyalty of the Palestinian factions movement to Lebanon and their commitment to Hezbollah to the test.”

In a response from Netanyahu’s office, it was stated that “the red line for Prime Minister Netanyahu and Minister Dermer is to remove the Lebanese factions beyond the Litani River. Currently, there are no negotiations.”

Senior Israeli officials confirmed reports that the United States and France are working on formulating a new initiative to cease fire in Gaza and Lebanon, against the backdrop of intensified fighting in the north.

Senior Israeli officials told Channel 13 that “there is no possibility of a settlement at the present time… Israel is ready to hear proposals, but the chances of a settlement are slim.”

Meanwhile, the Israeli military estimates that it will take the air force a few days to exhaust the target set in Lebanon, and a senior security official said that the Lebanese factions still have command and control capabilities.”

Source: RT