Are we going to see the imminent end of the fighting in Lebanon? The Israeli security cabinet must decide this Tuesday on a cease-fire in the war against Lebanese Hezbollah, an official said on Monday evening. The United States, too, asserts that an agreement is “ close ». « We think we’ve reached the point where we’re close » of an agreement, underlined John Kirby, the spokesperson for the National Security Council of the White House.
Also very involved in international mediation efforts, the French presidency assured that discussions on a ceasefire had “ advanced significantly “. The Élysée thus called on Israel and Hezbollah to seize “ as soon as possible of this opportunity ».
These announcements come after an intensification in recent days of Israeli strikes against strongholds of the pro-Iranian movement in Lebanon. They led to the death of 31 people on Monday, according to the Ministry of Health.
Lebanon “on the verge of collapse”, warns the European Union
A 60-day truce
According to the American news site Axiosthe agreement is based on a project originating across the Atlantic. In detail, it provides for a 60-day truce, during which Hezbollah and the Israeli army would withdraw from southern Lebanon, bordering northern Israel, to allow the Lebanese army to deploy there.
This agreement includes the establishment of an international committee to monitor its application, added Axios, evoking American support for Israeli military action in the event of hostile acts by Hezbollah. Mediations are based on UN Security Council Resolution 1701. This ended the previous war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. It stipulates that only the Lebanese army and peacekeepers can be deployed on Lebanon’s southern border.
Reluctance
However, the Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir (far right), estimated that a ceasefire would be “ a big mistake “. Originally from northern Israel, Dorit Sison, 51, also fears a settlement like in 2006, which according to her allowed Hezbollah to “ rearm “. NOW ” they have tunnels, rockets, all possible munitions ».
Faced with Israel, Iran wants to triple its military spending
As a reminder, Israel says it wants to put Hezbollah and Hamas, allies of Iran, its enemy, out of harm’s way. He vowed to destroy Hamas after the October 7 attack and wants to stop Hezbollah’s rocket attacks, which have displaced some 60,000 northern residents for more than a year.
Fighting continues in Gaza
On Israel’s southern front, in the besieged Gaza Strip, devastated and threatened with famine according to the UN, the Israeli army continues its strikes, particularly in the north of the Palestinian territory. “ There are around 65,000 people in the besieged areas (in northern Gaza). We hear they’re digging through trash, rubble, trying to find old cans, any food they can find. “, indicated a spokesperson for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), Louise Wateridge, present in Gaza city. The Israeli offensive in Gaza has left at least 44,235 dead, the majority civilians, according to data from the Hamas Ministry of Health, deemed reliable by the UN.
(With AFP and Reuters)
