US special envoy Amos Hochstein is trying to reassure Lebanon and the rest of the world that Israeli troops will withdraw from southern Lebanon, despite repeated media reports that Israel is planning to announce that they’re going to remain. DM Israel Katz said yesterday that Israel might scrap the ceasefire entirely.
The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire stipulated Israel withdraw from Lebanon within 60 days. We’re now 42 days into the ceasefire, and Israel has just started to leave a second town, Naqoura. So far Israel had only pulled out of Khiam.
Leaving Khiam and Naqoura isn’t necessarily a step in the right direction, as Israel has entered more than two additional Lebanese towns since the ceasefire began. Israel now holds more towns than when the deal was put into place.
Reporters from LBC International entered Naqoura after the announced withdrawal, and documented widespread destruction inside the town. That’s no surprise, as military bulldozers have been systematically demolishing civilian homes and other infrastructure in Israeli-occupied areas of Lebanon.
Hochstein’s assurance that Israel will leave Lebanon conspicuously fails to mention a departure date. As it’s increasingly apparent Israel won’t leave during the 60-day ceasefire window, Hochstein’s comments don’t mean much.
The bigger near-term concern is Israel’s repeatedly violating the ceasefire in other ways, namely, the hundreds of incidents attacking civilians and destroying property.
Lebanese PM Najib Mikati is calling for a “final halt” of Israeli ceasefire violations, seeking an assurance of a timely withdrawal, and for the international community to uphold UN Resolution 1701. While the US is upbeat about Israel’s intentions, it appears unlikely either of these things will happen.
