Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Tuesday said that he would review the Lebanese proposal to deploy an estimated 15,000 Lebanese troops into the southern part of the country.
"We need to study the proposal and all its implications," Olmert said, after calling the proposal for ceasefire "interesting," he said in Jerusalem according to Ynet.
"In general I can say that the international community recognizes that fact that the situation which existed in the past cannot repeat itself," he added.
"I heard about the Lebanese government's proposal yesterday – to deploy 15,000 troops to south Lebanon . Our stance, as I have said all along, is that Resolution 1559 needs to be implemented. The essential element is the deployment of the Lebanese army and removing Hizbullah from the area. This proposal is an interesting step, which we need to study and examine its implications," Olmert added.
Israel has thus far called for an international fighting force in the area, claiming that Lebanese troops are incapable of stopping Hizbullah fire on Israel, while the 2,000-man strong United Nations force currently deployed, UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon), has also proven unable to deter hostilities.
"I can say one thing," he went on, "the faster we are able to withdraw from south Lebanon, the happier we'll be. Obviously we can only do this if we are certain we have accomplished the goals we have set for ourselves."
Meanwhile, reports have surfaced that Israel may broaden its military campaign in the area. Israel is currently in control of approximately six kilometers of southern Lebanon, north of the Israeli border.
The Israeli cabinet is set to meet on Wednesday to approve deploying troops up the Litani River, according to Haaretz.
Israel DM says bombing Lebanese villages won't stop Hizbullah
Also on Tuesday, Israel's Defense Minister Amir Peretz stated that "bombarding and obliterating the villages in Lebanon will not prevent the Katyusha fire on Israel," and called on Israel's military to maintain its moral integrity.
Peretz also called on Tuesday for a diplomatic solution to the current crisis which would complement Israel's military operation in Lebanon.
Overnight Monday Israeli aircraft bombed 42 Hezbollah buildings and 30 access roads in Lebanon which it claimed led to rocket launching areas. Israeli ground forces also attacked Hizbullah bases in several southern villages, including Debel, Bint Jubayl and Al Mansouri.
Israel Radio also reported Tuesday that two Israeli soldiers were killed in clashes with Hizbullah forces overnight in southern Lebanon.
An estimated one million Lebanese citizens and one million Israeli citizens have been displaced since hostilities began nearly a month ago.
