Israel's Proposed Cease-Fire with Hezbollah: Key Points and Developments

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Israel's Proposed Cease-Fire with Hezbollah Key Points and Developments


Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has voiced his support for a cease-fire agreement with Hezbollah, aiming to end over a year of conflict. The agreement, brokered by the United States and France, awaits formal cabinet approval. Here's a breakdown of the main points:

Cease-Fire Agreement Overview

  • Goals of the Cease-Fire:

    1. Counter the Iranian threat.
    2. Allow the Israeli military to recover and regroup.
    3. Isolate Hamas from Hezbollah support in northern Israel.

  • Terms of the Agreement:

    • Hezbollah must move its forces north of the Litani River (20 miles from the Israeli border) within two months.
    • Israeli forces will withdraw from southern Lebanon.
    • The Lebanese Armed Forces will take over the border region within 60 days.
    • A five-nation committee, led by the U.S. and France, will monitor the cease-fire.
    • The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers will stay in the region.

  • Contingency Plan: Israel retains the right to respond militarily if Hezbollah violates the agreement.

Cabinet Deliberations

  • Netanyahu's security cabinet held a three-hour meeting on Tuesday to discuss the cease-fire.
  • Netanyahu stated that the cabinet would vote on the agreement later that day.

Military Actions in Lebanon

  • Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Operations:

    • Advanced to areas near the Litani River, targeting Hezbollah strongholds.
    • Destroyed rocket launchers, seized weapons, and dismantled underground facilities.
    • Engaged in close combat, neutralizing large quantities of missiles and rockets.

  • Hezbollah's Attacks:

    • Began on October 8, 2023, after a deadly Hamas assault on Israel.
    • Launched thousands of rockets, including 250 on a single day.

  • Civilian Impact:

    • Over 68,000 Israelis displaced along the Lebanese border.
    • Israeli airstrikes targeted Hezbollah-controlled areas in Beirut, with further evacuations underway.

International Reactions

  • European Union:
    • Josep Borrell, EU foreign policy chief, urged Israel to accept the cease-fire to prevent Lebanon's collapse.
  • United Nations:
    • Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, assured the U.N. Special Envoy that violations of the cease-fire would be met with "significant force."

Current Situation

The situation remains tense as Israel and Hezbollah consider the cease-fire's implementation. Both sides face pressure to de-escalate, but ongoing military actions highlight the fragile nature of the proposed truce.

Sources: Reuters, Tazpit Press Service (TPS-IL), The Times of Israel

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