A barrage of Israeli rockets hit the center of Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, just hours before Israel’s war cabinet met to discuss a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The Israeli military said it had hit nearly 30 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon since this morning. According to the IDF, the targets include a rocket launcher used in attacks against Israel, “weapons depots, terrorist infrastructure facilities, command centers” and several branches of the al-Qaed al-Hassan association, which is known to be used as a type of bank. From Hezbollah to all parts of Lebanon. At least 10 people lost their lives in today’s attacks, but it is stated that the number may increase.
“The agreement between Israel and Lebanon will help end the war in Gaza”
But let’s get back to the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. According to the news in the Lebanese press, the agreement, which will put an end to the 13-month-long struggle between Israel and Hezbollah, should be announced with a joint statement from the USA and France at 22:00 local time and at 21:00 in Italy. Lebanese media writes that Lebanon’s interim prime minister, Najib Mikati, is also expected to make a statement.
Hopes for a ceasefire in the conflict now look more concrete. The Israeli government plans to approve the agreement, according to CNN, citing a spokesman for Benjamin Netanyahu. Multiple Lebanese official sources confirm that Lebanon also accepted the US-backed proposal and that the draft received approval from Hezbollah. The far-right wing of the Netanyahu government is opposed. Itamar Ben Gvir, security minister and representative of the far right, considers the ceasefire agreement a “historic mistake”.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken claims that an agreement aimed at ending the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah could save many lives by also contributing to stopping the war in Gaza.
Why did Tel Aviv strike dozens of Hezbollah targets just hours before the deal was approved? One statement comes from Avi Mayer, former editor of the Jerusalem Post, who said that “it is not unusual for military activities to be intensified before the suspension of hostilities in order to ensure that as many military objectives as possible are achieved before they are achieved.” ‘from his understanding’.
What does the ceasefire offer include?
The ceasefire proposal, brokered by American and French diplomats, would begin a 60-day period during which both sides would withdraw from southern Lebanon and end hostilities. Israeli forces will return south of the Israel-Lebanon border, while Hezbollah will retreat north of the Litani River, allowing the Lebanese army, which is not part of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, to act as an intervention force.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib has already announced that the Lebanese army has 5,000 soldiers ready to be deployed in the south of the country. While the ceasefire will officially be an agreement signed between Israel, Lebanon and mediator countries, including the United States, Hezbollah, which the United States considers a terrorist organization, will not technically be part of the agreement.
Source: Today IT
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
