Israel demands right to strike Hezbollah in ceasefire talks
The ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hezbollah have hit a snag after Israeli officials demanded the right to strike Hezbollah in Lebanon as part of any agreement. The development comes amid progress in talks led by United States envoy Amos Hochstein, who is striving to finalize a truce. The proposed ceasefire aims to push both Hezbollah and Israeli forces out of southern Lebanon.
Israeli officials emphasize need for military action
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized the need for Israel's military to protect its citizens from Hezbollah. Echoing this, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Israel must keep "freedom to act if there will be violations." However, Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem has supported negotiations but rejected any clause allowing Israeli troop movement in Lebanon.
Conflict's toll and recent developments
The conflict, which erupted after Hezbollah fired into Israel on October 8, 2023, has left over 3,500 dead in Lebanon and displaced over a million. In Israel, Hezbollah fire has killed over 70 people. A recent rocket attack damaged an empty kindergarten in Acre, northern Israel. Despite the challenges, Hochstein remains hopeful about ending the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Proposed ceasefire based on 2006 UN resolution
Hochstein's ceasefire proposal is based on a United Nations resolution from the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. The resolution calls for only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers to operate in southern Lebanon. However, both parties have accused each other of violating the resolution. The current proposal involves a monitoring system with the United States and France to ensure compliance, but no final agreement has been reached yet.
