Israel Said to Outline to US Demands for Ending Lebanon Military Operations

Israel has shared a document with the US outlining its conditions to end Israel’s ongoing military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to a new report.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented the document to the White House last week ahead of US Special Envoy Amos Hochstein’s visit to Beirut, Lebanon on Monday, Axios reported. The papers were produced after intensive discussions between Ron Dermer, the Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs, and the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). 

The document reportedly explains that the Jewish state is open to a diplomatic resolution and the return of displaced Lebanese civilians under specific conditions. 

According to Axios, Israel is demanding that the IDF be allowed to engage in “active enforcement” to prevent Hezbollah, the Iran-backed terrorist organization that wields significant influence in Lebanon, from rebuilding its military infrastructure near Israel’s northern border to attack the Jewish state.

In addition, Israel wants to have freedom of operation in Lebanese air space.

Hezbollah has pummeled northern Israeli communities almost daily with missiles, rockets, and drones following the Oct. 7 massacre across southern Israel perpetrated by Hamas, another Iran-backed terrorist group. The powerful Lebanese Islamist movement has fired over 10,000 projectiles at Israel over the past year.

About 70,000 Israelis have been forced to evacuate their homes in northern Israel and flee to other parts of the country amid the unrelenting attacks from Hezbollah. The Jewish state has vowed to ensure all citizens can safely return to their homes.

In recent weeks, Israel has killed many high-ranking Hezbollah terrorists, including top leader Hassan Nasrallah. The IDF has also conducted limited ground operations in southern Lebanon with the goal of establishing a buffer zone between Israel and Hezbollah. The Jewish state was also allegedly responsible for the widespread explosions of communications devices used by Hezbollah members last month, although Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement.

Observers believe that Lebanon and the international community are unlikely to agree to Israel’s demands, arguing that they violate United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. The resolution, adopted after the 2006 Lebanon War, mandated the disarmament of Hezbollah and the terrorist group’s withdrawal of forces away from the Israel-Lebanon border. The resolution also mandated that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) maintain a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

“We are talking about 1701 with increased enforcement. Our main message is that if the Lebanese army and UNIFIL do more, the IDF will do less and the other way around,” an Israeli official told Axios. 

Thus far, Hochstein’s discussions with Lebanese officials indicate the country will likely not be willing to modify the conditions outlined in UNSC Resolution 1701. During a press conference in Beirut, Hochstein also stated that neither the Jewish state nor Lebanon have faithfully abided by the measure, resulting in “the conflict we are witnessing today.”

“We are working on a formula that will end the conflict once and for all so that it won’t start again next month or next year,” Hochstein added. 

Hochstein said that the US aims to stop the fighting and resolve the situation while still honoring UNSC 1701.

The post Israel Said to Outline to US Demands for Ending Lebanon Military Operations first appeared on Algemeiner.com.