JERUSALEM – Top Middle East advisers to President Biden are actively working to broker a temporary cease-fire agreement between Israel and the Hezbollah terrorist group operating in Lebanon. This deal aims to replace the reportedly ineffective United Nations mission.
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), established by a U.S.-backed United Nations Security Council resolution, was tasked with assisting the Lebanese army following the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel. Its objective was to disarm the Iran-backed terrorist organization.
On Wednesday, a source familiar with the talks and a senior diplomat working on Lebanon issues indicated that this two-month ceasefire would be used to finalize the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, adopted in 2006 to ensure that southern Lebanon remains free of arms outside government control.
U.S. presidential advisors Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk are scheduled to arrive in Israel on Thursday to finalize the temporary cease-fire agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security meeting on Tuesday with key defense officials from his administration. They discussed the components of a long-term solution to end Hezbollah’s activities, according to Israel’s Channel 12.
Amit Segal, chief political analyst for Channel 12, told Digital, “The end of the war in Lebanon, with an agreement that allows Israel to retaliate with force against any violation, represents a clear victory after a year of fighting and fundamentally alters the situation. This is why Hezbollah remains hesitant, and the escalating military pressure is intended to persuade them.”
Segal stated that the potential agreement involves Israel enforcing the terms with the Lebanese army instead of the controversial UNIFIL mission.
Israeli media reported that the new Hezbollah leader, in a public address on Wednesday, vowed that the “work program” of Hassan Nasrallah would continue, including its war against the Jewish state. Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike last month. Qassem went on to assert that Hezbollah is facing an “American, European, and global war aimed at ending our resistance.”
He also stated that Hezbollah was not seeking a cease-fire. “If the enemy wants to stop, we will accept terms that are favorable to us. Any resolution will be achieved through negotiations,” the Hezbollah terror leader added.
Qassem co-founded Hezbollah, which carried out attacks against U.S. diplomatic and military personnel in 1983. The bombing of the U.S. embassy in Beirut killed 63 people, and Hezbollah also murdered 241 people at the U.S. Marine barracks in the Lebanese capital.
After Hezbollah announced Qassem as its new leader, IDF Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated on X that it would be a “temporary appointment” and “not for long.”
The Iran regime-backed Hezbollah movement, which is the de facto ruler of Lebanon according to Mideast expert Walid Phares, has suffered significant operational setbacks, including Israel’s targeted strikes in Beirut.
The IDF announced on Wednesday that a military strike eliminated Mustafa Ahmad Shahadi, deputy commander of Hezbollah’s Radwan Forces in the Nabatieh area. According to the IDF, “Shahadi was involved in numerous terrorist attacks against the State of Israel. His elimination is part of the effort to weaken Hezbollah’s Radwan Forces’ ability to direct and carry out terrorist operations against IDF troops and communities along the northern border, particularly the ‘Conquer the Galilee’ plan.”
With hundreds of rockets still being launched against Israel by Hezbollah, Gallant said on Tuesday, “I estimate the remaining capacity of the missiles and rockets to be around 20%, and it’s no longer organized in the same way it used to be, in a way that [Hezbollah] could fire [large] volleys.”
The IDF has urged UNIFIL troops to withdraw from southern Lebanon. However, UNIFIL declined to relocate its personnel from the war zone.
Hezbollah terrorists endangered UNIFIL personnel on Tuesday, with a UNIFIL spokesperson seemingly avoiding condemnation of the attack by saying, “A rocket hit UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, setting a vehicle workshop on fire. While some peacekeepers suffered minor injuries, fortunately no one was seriously injured. The rocket was fired from north of UNIFIL’s headquarters, likely by Hezbollah or an affiliated group. We have opened an investigation into the incident.”
Digital approached UNIFIL spokeswoman Kandice Ardiel about a report alleging that Hezbollah bribed UNIFIL personnel to exploit their positions against Israel. Ardiel said, “I would take anonymous stories with a grain of salt. Peacekeeping is challenging work, particularly in the area in which UNIFIL operates. Peacekeepers are impartial, although that has not stopped both sides from accusing us of supporting or spying for the other. Nonetheless, we will investigate any allegation based on credible evidence.”
Lt. Col.(Res.) Sarit Zehavi, president and founder of the Israel-based Alma Research and Education Center, told Digital that “UNIFIL actually enabled Hezbollah to build its military infrastructure not only in private territories but also in the open areas between the towns and villages.” She said Hezbollah excavated tunnels in these areas. Alma tracks Hezbollah activity in southern Lebanon.
The IDF announced on Wednesday that it destroyed a Hezbollah “underground command center and a second site containing half a ton of explosives.”