Israel announced on Monday that talks on a Lebanon ceasefire had progressed and suggested Russia might assist by preventing Hezbollah from rearming through Syria. However, the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group stated it had not received any new truce offers. #LebanonCeasefireTalks
Hezbollah, battered by Israel’s offensive, confirmed diplomatic discussions were ongoing with support from Tehran, Washington, and Moscow. Yet, the group maintained its readiness for continued fighting, claiming it had enough arms for a “long war.”
In Jerusalem, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar noted that the conflict with Hezbollah was not over. He emphasized that enforcing any ceasefire agreement would be challenging, despite “a certain progress” in the discussions.
The remarks signal a revived diplomatic push, as previous US-led efforts for a Lebanon truce failed. This comes as President Joe Biden prepares to leave office, with President-elect Donald Trump poised to take over in January.
Meanwhile, hopes for a Gaza truce have dimmed, as Qatar halted its mediation efforts. Triggered by the Gaza war, clashes at the Lebanese-Israeli border had simmered for a year before Israel launched its offensive in late September, targeting large parts of Lebanon with airstrikes and deploying troops to the south.
Hezbollah has been launching daily attacks of missiles, rockets, and drones at northern Israel since the Gaza conflict began last October. These assaults forced tens of thousands of Israelis near the Lebanon border to evacuate. The Israeli government has vowed to use any necessary measures, including military action, to allow displaced citizens to return home.
Speaking at a news conference in Jerusalem, Saar confirmed that Israel was collaborating with the United States on a ceasefire. He stated that Israel aims to keep Hezbollah north of the Litani River, roughly 20 miles (30 km) from the border, and ensure the group cannot rearm. #LebanonCeasefireTalks
However, Hezbollah remains defiant, claiming that diplomatic contacts are ongoing with Tehran, Washington, and Moscow. The group insists it is ready to continue fighting, boasting enough weaponry for a prolonged conflict. Despite this, Israel remains hopeful about the Lebanon ceasefire talks and seeks effective solutions to ensure stability.
