The war in Lebanon is coming to an end

Israel's war cabinet is likely to decide on a ceasefire with Lebanon's Hezbollah on Tuesday. But not everyone is happy about the prospect.

Felix Wellisch, Jerusalem/ch media

According to media reports, Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia are close to a ceasefire after more than a year of war. Israel's security cabinet is scheduled to meet in Tel Aviv this afternoon, where a final deal will be decided. Consent is considered “possible”.

The German news agency reported the news on Monday, citing government sources. Reuters quoted Elias Bou Saab, Deputy Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, as saying that there are “no serious obstacles” to the implementation of the agreement.

Hezbollah retreats

According to multiple Israeli media reports, the agreement includes a 60-day transition period. During this period, Israeli troops will leave southern Lebanon. Lebanese soldiers are expected to take control of areas near the Israeli border.

Hezbollah will abandon positions south of the Litani River that it was supposed to withdraw from after the 2006 Lebanon War under UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The Litani River is located approximately 30 kilometers north of the Israeli border.

Therefore, Israel should receive written confirmation from the United States that Washington supports Israeli military operations in Lebanon. These could simply be in response to a direct threat from there, the reestablishment of Hezbollah near the border, or the smuggling of heavy weapons.

The premise is that the Lebanese army will not take any action against such threats and that the actions must be coordinated with the United States. The U.S. is also expected to lead a five-state committee that will oversee compliance with the deal. According to Reuters, the issue was only resolved within the past 24 hours.

A day after Hamas launched its attack from the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel. In late September, the conflict escalated sharply when Israel invaded Lebanon and stepped up air strikes against the country.

Some 3,500 people have died in Lebanon so far, including many civilians but also a large part of Hezbollah's leadership. More than a million people are displaced in Lebanon and about 60,000 in Israel.

Last week, U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein arrived in the region to push for a deal. As he spoke, the battle became more intense. On Sunday, Hezbollah fired at least 250 rockets into Israel. In response, Israeli forces attacked at least 25 targets in Lebanon on Monday.

The ceasefire plan has angered Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing extremist coalition partners. Police Minister Itamar Ben Gweil called the agreement “a serious mistake.” Israel must continue fighting until “absolute victory.” Several community leaders in the north also criticized the agreement. Shmona Mayor Avichai Stern posted on Facebook about the “surrender agreement” and warned of a resurgence of Hezbollah.

No hope for peace in Gaza

However, there is no hope for an early ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces on Monday continued a northern offensive that began in early October. The Shujaiya area near Gaza City has been under evacuation orders. Rockets were fired from there on Saturday, according to the military.

Hamas said it shelled a military base. Israeli Security Cabinet Minister Avi Pert said Israel would stay in the region for “several years.” According to reports, many areas in the Gaza Strip have been hit by heavy air strikes.

UNRWA, the United Nations' Palestinian relief agency, has warned that the humanitarian disaster in Gaza will spread further due to heavy rains brought by the onset of winter. About a quarter of the more than 2 million almost completely displaced residents of the coastal zone live in areas at risk of flooding. (aargauerzeitung.ch/lyn)

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