Jerusalem, Nov 26 (EFE).- Israel is set to approve a 60-day ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah in Lebanon after a year of devastating conflict that claimed over 35,000 lives and displaced 1.2 million people.
Sources said on Tuesday that the Israeli Security Cabinet, composed of senior ministers and key officials, will meet at 5 PM local time in Tel Aviv to discuss and vote on the proposed truce.
However, critical disagreements remain unresolved. At the top among them is Israel’s demand for the right to resume attacks under specific conditions, including Hezbollah’s rearming, preparation for an attack on Israel, or militant activity south of the Litani River.
The following are the main points of the agreement, according to Israeli media reports.
Disarmament of Southern Lebanon
• In the initial 60-day phase, Hezbollah is to withdraw north of the Litani River, and Israeli troops will retreat, aligning with UN Security Council Resolution 1701 that came into effect after the 2006 war.
• The Lebanese Army will deploy thousands of soldiers in the vacated region, supervised by US Central Command (Centcom) and UN peacekeepers. French troops will also assist.
International Oversight
• The deal establishes an international supervisory body, led by the US, with participation from the UK, Germany, France, and an Arab country.
• Israel opposed France’s inclusion due to tensions following French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal of an arms embargo. US mediator Amos Hochstein reportedly insisted on France’s participation as a condition for the deal.
Right to Resume Attacks
• Israel seeks the right to respond militarily to breaches, particularly in cases of Hezbollah rearming or imminent threats from Lebanon.
• US officials have urged Israel to limit such actions to Syrian territory if arms shipments from Iran persist.
Long-Term Border Negotiations
• After the disarmament period, both nations will negotiate a permanent border demarcation. Israel has stated it does not intend to establish a buffer zone but will not release Hezbollah prisoners captured during the conflict.
Hezbollah’s leader, Naim Qasem, criticized Israel’s conditions, labeling them a violation of Lebanese sovereignty and rejecting any agreement that does not bring a “complete and comprehensive” end to hostilities. EFE
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