Tel Aviv, 26 September 2024 (dpa/MIA) - The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied a report that he gave the green light for a ceasefire with the Lebanese Hezbollah militia.

"The report about a ceasefire is incorrect," the statement said. "This is an American-French proposal that the prime minister has not even responded to."

Citing an unnamed member of Netanyahu's staff, Israeli TV channel N12 reported that a ceasefire should enable negotiations for a permanent agreement.

A report by the broadcaster that Netanyahu had instructed the army to reduce attacks in the northern neighbouring country was also "the opposite of the truth," his office said. "The Prime Minister has directed the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] to continue fighting with full force, according to the plan that was presented to him."

After massive Israeli bombardment of Lebanon with more than 600 dead, a group of states led by the United States, together with key Arab countries, is calling for a 21-day ceasefire.

MIA file photo