Are there any conditions that Israel has demanded to prevent further escalation at the border?
Diplomatic efforts are currently underway to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, aimed at de-escalating clashes in southern Lebanon. Artillery exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah have persisted since October 8, 2023.
However, what conditions does this resolution entail? What form will the “southern zone of the Litani River, free from weapons and combatants” take? Will Hezbollah agree to withdraw all its munitions, or will it attempt to conceal them, as it has done in the past?
For Israel, returning to the status quo ante is non-negotiable. Israeli officials have reiterated this stance on several occasions, with their top priority being the security of kibbutzim in the northern part of the country.
As of Monday, Benny Gantz, leader of the Israeli National Unity party and a member of the restricted war cabinet, communicated to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken the urgent need to change the situation on the Lebanese border.
“It is crucial to exert pressure on the Lebanese government to halt the attacks by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah and to keep away from the borders,” he stated in a telephone call with the US official, as reported by Israeli media.
Gantz also emphasized that Tel Aviv “will need to eliminate the threat posed by Hezbollah along the northern border,” whereas Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant said that “Israel was open to possibly reaching an agreement with Hezbollah in Lebanon, on the condition any agreement included a safe zone along the border and proper guarantees.”
Israel’s Conditions
In a related context, according to sources from the pan-Arab channel Al-Arabiya, an indirect agreement involving Hezbollah and Israel on the situation along the Lebanese border appears imminent. Israel has reportedly communicated specific conditions to international mediators regarding Lebanon.
According to these sources, Israel is insisting on French border surveillance on the Lebanese side and American surveillance on the Israeli side. Additionally, Israel is seeking the presence of UNIFIL on the Lebanese border. Israel has also requested the deployment of the Lebanese Army along the border in collaboration with French forces.
Furthermore, Israel has accepted that Hezbollah maintains certain surveillance positions in coordination with both the Lebanese Army and French forces.
Concerning weapons, Israel has informed the mediators of its demand that weapons south of the Litani River be under the sole control of the Lebanese Army.
The same sources report an American guarantee that Israeli forces will refrain from undertaking any operations in southern Lebanon.
A Different Negotiation Report
According to a previous report from Israel’s Channel 12, behind-the-scenes negotiations are currently in progress involving several countries to restore calm to the southern border, with a focus on implementing UN Resolution 1701. The United States, France, and various Arab nations are actively participating in these talks, aiming to ensure the security of Israeli towns and settlements along the border.
Key highlights from the report include the proposed relocation of Hezbollah forces north of the Litani River in accordance with Resolution 1701, the deployment of an international force in the Shebaa Farms and northern Ghajar areas, and the initiation of a process for the election of a president of the Republic.
