The Israeli army announced to the residents in the southern suburbs of Beirut its intention to bomb buildings and identified them on maps attached to this announcement, located in the areas of “Burj al-Barajneh” and “Tahouitet al-Ghadir.”
In another warning to the same areas distributed in the southern suburb, the Israeli army announced that they would be subjected to imminent bombardment and called on residents near what it described as “Hezbollah installations and interests” to evacuate and move away from them immediately for a distance of no less than 500 meters.
Today, Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold security consultations, before meeting with the mini-ministerial council at approximately two o’clock GMT, to ratify the proposed agreement to stop the war in Lebanon, amid opposition described as “severe” by the heads of local authorities in northern Lebanon. Israel, members of the coalition and the opposition.
Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, made a call to caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Monday, “and invited him to announce the anticipated agreement in the name of Lebanon, since his government currently represents the powers of the President of the Republic.”
Mikati had been formally informed by the American envoy, Amos Hockstein, of the Israeli side’s approval of the ceasefire.
Mikati is expected to call, on Wednesday, for a Council of Ministers session during which the mechanism for implementing Resolution 1701 will be presented according to the agreement, to discuss its provisions, and then take the decision to approve it.
Reaching an agreement to stop the war in Lebanon faces opposition within Israel, as National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said in a radio interview: “The war must end when we defeat the other side.”
He added: “The heads of local authorities in the north are right in their opposition to the agreement. One of the goals of the war is to return the people of the North to their homes safely. We are missing a historic opportunity here to force them to kneel. We can keep crushing them. “This is an agreement on ice.”
He continued: “It is clear that Hezbollah will return and arm itself.” We will not end the war in the middle of it. Hezbollah must be completely subdued. “It is only a matter of a year or two before Hezbollah returns to the forefront again.”
The head of the official camp party, Benny Gantz, also warned of “the repercussions of any temporary ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah,” saying: “Talking about a temporary ceasefire is a big mistake.” Withdrawing now will give Hezbollah an opportunity to reorganize its ranks.”
Gantz set 7 main conditions for an agreement that he described as “strong,” considering that it “could change the security situation on the northern border from its roots.” The provisions include: “complete Israeli freedom of action, imposing an international ban on arming Lebanon, strengthening the Lebanese army, and disarming the border areas while strengthening the Israeli presence to protect the population, including the deployment of advanced defense systems.”
The provisions also included, “expanding the powers of UNIFIL, and an international monitoring mechanism led by the United States to supervise the implementation of the agreement, submitting monthly reports on any violations, and adopting the agreement in the United Nations.”
According to the agreement, the United States and the United Nations will mediate between the parties on the issue of amending the borders, but discussions on this will take place only after a ceasefire lasting for 60 days.
Israel and Lebanon will also have to announce the appointment of an officer from each other to join the monitoring mechanism, as part of the agreement.
Hezbollah is expected to withdraw to the area north of the Litani River, according to the Israel Broadcasting Authority.
Katz reveals the features of a possible ceasefire agreement with Lebanon
Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said on Tuesday, “His country will never tolerate any violations of the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon and will work firmly to ensure security.”
“If you do not act, we will do so very firmly,” Katz told UN envoy Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert in Tel Aviv, according to a statement issued by his office, adding that Israel would adopt “a zero-tolerance policy when defending its security interests in the future.”
He stressed: “Any house rebuilt in southern Lebanon that was used as a base will be destroyed, any rearmament will be attacked, any attempt to transfer weapons will be thwarted, and any threat against our forces or our citizens will be eliminated immediately.”
Katz continued: “Israel will not tolerate any scenario similar to the previous situation during which Hezbollah was able to build its military capacity in southern Lebanon despite the presence of the United Nations force (UNIFIL).”
On the other hand, an Israeli official told local media that the agreement with Lebanon “will ease American pressures related to the Gaza Strip, especially delaying arms shipments.”
According to political sources, the US administration’s pledge to Netanyahu is to “stop suspending the supply of weapons to Israel, which are until now subject to an embargo, due to President Joe Biden’s opposition to Israeli policies.”
Political and journalistic sources expected that a ceasefire agreement would soon be reached between Israel and Lebanon, after the efforts made by the American mediator in the region, Hochstein.
The United States is pressing to reach an agreement to end the hostilities that have been ongoing for more than a year between Hezbollah and Israel, which have escalated over the past two months, raising fears of expanding conflict in the region.
Meanwhile, the French presidency announced that discussions on a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah “have made significant progress,” shortly after high-level Lebanese sources said that Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to announce… A truce “within 36 hours.”
Last updated: November 26, 2024 – 15:45
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What factors contribute to the complex dynamics of Israeli-Lebanese relations in the context of ongoing conflict?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Middle East Security Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Thank you for joining us today. The situation in Lebanon is evolving rapidly, especially with Israel announcing imminent bombardments in southern Beirut. Can you provide some context on why these specific areas, Burj al-Barajneh and Tahouitet al-Ghadir, are targeted?
Middle East Security Expert (MSE): Absolutely. These regions are known to host significant Hezbollah installations, which Israel considers a direct threat to its national security. By issuing warnings and maps to residents, Israel aims to minimize civilian casualties while sending a strong message regarding its military objectives.
TNE: We see that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is holding security consultations. What can we infer about the internal dynamics within Israel regarding the proposed ceasefire in Lebanon?
MSE: The internal dynamics are quite complex. Netanyahu faces a significant divide between various factions within the Israeli government. Figures like National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir vehemently oppose any ceasefire unless Hezbollah is decisively defeated. This divergence could impact the efficacy and sustainability of any peace agreement.
TNE: Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, is urging Prime Minister Najib Mikati to formally announce the anticipated agreement. What challenges do you foresee for the Lebanese government in navigating this situation?
MSE: Berri’s call underscores the delicate balancing act the Lebanese government faces. On one hand, they must manage domestic expectations and regional pressures, particularly given the varied political factions within Lebanon. On the other, they must be cautious about agreements that might empower Hezbollah or affect Lebanon’s sovereignty. The local population is also weary of war, but there’s fear about Hezbollah’s rearmament post-agreement.
TNE: Speaking of Hezbollah, there are mention of their potential repositioning north of the Litani River following a ceasefire. How might this impact Israel’s security strategy moving forward?
MSE: Hezbollah moving north could complicate Israel’s strategic calculations. Historically, the organization has used its stronghold in southern Lebanon to launch operations. A well-armed Hezbollah in proximity to the northern border poses a continuous security threat, which could lead to an escalated arms race and conflict realization even post-ceasefire.
TNE: The Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz spoke of a zero-tolerance policy towards any ceasefire violations. How realistic is this stance in the context of ongoing tensions?
MSE: Katz’s zero-tolerance stance may serve to reassure the Israeli population that their security is a priority. However, this approach is problematic in a conflict resolution context. It assumes a level of control over future actions that may not be feasible. The history of intermittent violence and retaliation could lead to cycles of attack and response, undermining ceasefire efforts.
TNE: What are the implications of having international mediators, like the United States, in the ceasefire process?
MSE: International mediation, especially involving the U.S., can provide a neutral framework for dialog and increase accountability. However, the effectiveness of such mediation largely depends on the willingness of both parties to adhere to established terms. Additionally, past experiences suggest that U.S. involvement can lead to biases that favor one side, potentially resulting in further tensions.
TNE: Lastly, how do you see this situation unfolding in the coming weeks? Are we on the brink of a significant change in Lebanon-Israel relations?
MSE: The coming weeks will be critical. While a temporary ceasefire may offer a brief respite, the underlying issues driving this conflict remain unresolved. The ceasefire is a test of diplomatic wills and military posturing. If negotiated terms can lead to some stability, there may be a chance for a long-term resolution. However, if hardliners on both sides prevail, we could easily see a return to hostilities.
TNE: Thank you for your insights. It’s clear that the situation is fraught with challenges and potential consequences. We’ll be watching closely as events unfold.