Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel must be able to enforce any ceasefire deal in Lebanon amid reports of ongoing truce negotiations.
“The main issue is not the paperwork of this or that agreement, but Israel’s ability and determination to enforce the agreement and thwart any threat to its security from Lebanon,” Netanyahu told US officials, according to Reuters.
His comments came a day after Israel’s Kan broadcaster reported on a leaked draft for a ceasefire deal that was drawn up by the US, which includes provisions that are non-starters for both Hezbollah and the Lebanese government.
Under the draft deal, there would be an initial 60-day ceasefire, and during that time, Israeli troops would withdraw from southern Lebanon, and Hezbollah would move north of the Litani River. The Lebanese Armed Forces and UN peacekeepers would then be deployed in the area.
The ceasefire plan is similar to UN Security Council Resolution 1701 except for two major differences. The US-drafted plan would allow for Israeli planes to still fly over Lebanon, and the Israeli military would have the right to fire in “self-defense” and to operate in southern Lebanon if it thought Hezbollah was violating the deal.
People familiar with the Lebanese government’s thinking told Financial Times that the draft was “unacceptable” to Beirut. “Israel can’t claim control over the south and air space,” one of the sources said.
Other sources told FT that the leak was likely designed to damage the talks so a deal wouldn’t be reached before the US presidential election on November 5. Netanyahu’s comments on Thursday could have also been an attempt to sabotage negotiations.
The entire concept is ridiculous. Not to mention the central government has no more ability to control Hezbollah than Israel does.
It's just another con game by Netanyahu. He and the US neocons can claim Lebanon gave up the chance for a "ceasefire" and the US can use that to justify invading Lebanon again in support of Israel against Hezbollah.
It also reinforces his desire to have the US impose an air/sea/land/blockade on Lebanon. It's all part of his plan to get the US involved in the war.
The neocons need some sort of excuse to "justify" the US involvement and all these steps are intended to do that.
Well said, well said!
the Israeli military would have the right to fire in “self-defense” and to operate in southern Lebanon if it thought Hezbollah was violating the deal.
Same stinking pile of shit as the cease fire proposal in Gaza. Spoiler alert: Israel WILL determine that Hezbollah is violating the deal.
Yes. I hear the flies buzzing around the stench.
yes,and Hez will violate any deal.
The US-drafted plan would allow for Israeli planes to still fly over Lebanon, and the Israeli military would have the right to fire in “self-defense” and to operate in southern Lebanon if it thought Hezbollah was violating the deal.
So would Israel. So would the US. So would anyone if THAT was the deal. A cease fire for one side only.
Israel is getting its butt whipped in Lebanon, and in the end it will be Israel, not Hezbollah, that will slink away with its tail between its legs.
Yes,Israel looses after inflicting 10 to one casualties,as Israel does not want war,and its enemies do.
You're right Israel does not want war. That's why they only pick on those that can't legitimately defend themselves. And if they can, they get the superpower to cover their cowardly asses.
I am surprised that Iran and Hezbollah have not fired on wherever Netanyahu, Gallant, Smotrich and Ben-Gvir are.
Israel kills off leaders at will.
Iran or Hezbollah would first have to know where Gallant, Smotrich and Ben-Gvir are. It looks like both Iran and Lebanon are infested with Israeli spies, while to converse is not true.
Doubt spies in Lebanon had much to do with the attack that killed Hassan Nasrallah. More likely US satellite and electronic surveillance, and US bunker buster bombs in a brute force attack once the US had acquired his general location.
All four of these scumbags regularly make scheduled speeches in public venues announced in the press. No spies necessary, just a subscription to a newspaper or a glance at their web pages.
As Napoleon Bonaparte said "Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake".
Explains why the Allies in WW2 didn't try to kill Hitler even after the British put the 12,000 lb Tallboy bomb (Bomb, Medium Capacity, 12,000 lb) into service in June 1944. Hitler was a f*ckup who invaded the Soviet Union and declared war on the United States.
Same with the Russians and Zelensky in the SMO. Hint: Zelensky is no Churchill.
Netanyahu, Gallant, Smotrich and Ben-Gvir come from a long line of political leaders who are f*ckups and are the best assets Iran and Lebanon have in this conflict.
As if the leaders in the capitals of Israel's enemies want peace and justice.
As did Egypt.
What Hezbollah needs are more anti-aircraft weapons. Take away Israeli murder from the sky and they are done. How many here would applaud seeing IAF F35's being shot down…I know I would..
Iran apparently has its own homegrown air defense system, possibly modeled on the Russian S-400, responsible for the lack of damage from the latest Israeli attack. Unfortunately I doubt that they want to deploy them so close to Israel where one could be captured and analyzed.
What Hez needs is to make peace and dissolve,and stop bringing hell to the people of Lebanon,as well as Israel.
That is the wish from all supporters of genocide and perpetual apartheid. Everyone should adhere to the wishes of a war criminal state who enjoys killing woman and children. Thanks Jake
Someone must be able to enforce a ceasefire on Israel. So far, it is running wild.
"Someone" can do that, just stop shoveling weapons into Israel by the shipload and their aggressions will grind to an inevitable halt in weeks.
I think Mark knows that. “Someone else”.
Stop arming Israel's Jew hating enemy terrorists.
No,return all hostages,and then work on peace.There is not going to be any peace coming down from heaven,the UN,Russia, or any one else.
I know your style, turd. Wait around for a couple of days and then stop by and make a bunch of pithy comments hoping to get the last word in.
Good plan.
Both sides should release all their hostages and stop attacking each other.
Glad we agree on something.
Confused, Does Israel actually hold any of Lebanon terrirtory as a result of this conflict? I was not aware that Israeli ground forces are insude Lebanon. It appears that this cease fire proposal is to GIVE Israel right of control over Lebanon up to Letany river. Lebanon was to just turn over the region, put helpless and toothless Lebanese Army and UN — and watch Israel pumneks them until forced to leave, and give Israel part of Lebanese territory.
Whatevet the ourpise of such plan was — pribably just a noise — it makes zero sense.
I understand that in some areas they've advanced as much as 3 kilometers, but they originally expected to be at the Litani River by now, about ten times that distance.