Those officials were clear: The question was not if Israel and Hezbollah would accept the ceasefire proposal, but precisely when. But only hours later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would throw cold water on the multi-national proposal. “I can’t speak for Prime Minister Netanyahu, I can’t answer the question why he said what he said,” he told reporters. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with top Israeli officials in New York Thursday afternoon. Dermer and Israeli Ambassador Michael Herzog demurred when asked by CNN ahead of that meeting if they are going to accept the ceasefire proposal between Israel and Hezbollah.

---

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Netanyahu, Ron Dermer, Jake Sullivan, Emmanuel Macron, ”, Biden, Karine Jean, Pierre, John Kirby, wasn’t, ” Kirby, Antony Blinken, Michael Herzog demurred, Dermer Organizations: CNN — Senior, Israeli, IDF, White, CNN Locations: United States, Israel, Lebanon, New York City, Washington, Netanyahu’s, Dermer, New York