Jerusalem Expects Cease-Fire Deal to Fail

Israel intends to abide by the cease-fire when it takes effect on Monday morning, even though senior Israeli officials assume that Hezbollah will not honor it, officials close to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Sunday night.

The officials said the working assumption at the Prime Minister's Office was that Hezbollah would not honor the agreement and that the world would then comprehend Israel's predicament more than ever. At press time, the Lebanese cabinet had not given final approval to the cease-fire.

"When Hezbollah violates the cease-fire, the world will see who the aggressor is and will understand us," a source close to Olmert said. "We will insist that the agreement be implemented. It's a good agreement for Israel and Hezbollah's opposition is proof."