Post by : Badri Ariffin

During a visit to the areas of southern Lebanon under Israeli control on Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed soldiers, reaffirming that Israel will maintain its presence until the dangers posed by Hezbollah, backed by Iran, are eliminated.

Netanyahu highlighted, “Our position is clear: we will not withdraw from southern Lebanon until the threat is completely resolved.”

He further stated, “As long as Hezbollah is stationed here, armed and posing a risk, we will continue our presence here as well.”

First Trip Since U.S.-Sponsored Security Agreement

This marks Netanyahu's initial visit to the occupied territory following a security agreement facilitated by the U.S. between Israel and Lebanon last Friday. Under this arrangement, Israel plans to transfer control of two regions to the Lebanese military. Netanyahu was joined by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and key military leaders.

Withdrawal from Designated 'Pilot Zones'

The agreement stipulates that Israeli forces are to withdraw from two designated areas termed “pilot zones” to enable the Lebanese Armed Forces to assume control. However, limited information has been disclosed regarding the execution of this plan.

Context of the Ongoing Conflict

The conflict escalated after Hezbollah targeted Israel on March 2, citing its offensive as retaliation for U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28.

This conflict has bred a regional crisis resulting in the deaths of thousands, primarily in Iran and Lebanon, as well as in various Gulf nations and Israel.

Establishment of a Buffer Zone Along the Border

To safeguard communities in northern Israel from Hezbollah attacks, the Israeli military has imposed a 10-kilometer (6-mile) buffer zone into Lebanese territory along the border.

Officials contend that this buffer is crucial for the protection of Israeli settlements. The military operations include raids in villages, demolishing infrastructure, and displacing local populations, targeting Hezbollah operational assets like underground tunnels.

Casualties and Displacements Overview

According to recent reports:

• Over 4,000 lives have been lost among the Lebanese since March.

• Around one million individuals have been forced from their homes.

• At least 32 Israeli soldiers and four civilians have also been killed by Hezbollah, mostly in southern Lebanese territories.

Netanyahu's Comments on Hezbollah's Arsenal

Netanyahu asserted that Hezbollah retains approximately 12,000 rockets and missiles.

He also claimed that Israeli forces have eliminated 9,000 Hezbollah militants in Lebanon since March 2, though he did not specify the timeline.

Hezbollah has not released its casualty figures, but reports from Reuters on May 4 indicated that thousands of its fighters have perished during the conflict.

Iran Discussions and Ceasefire Efforts

On the same day, Iran indicated that it would not engage directly with senior U.S. representatives visiting Qatar for negotiations, leading to further uncertainty regarding a potential lasting peace.

Iran has persistently called for a ceasefire in Lebanon as part of its discussions with the U.S. aimed at concluding the wider conflict that originated in February.

While Israel is not a direct party to these negotiations, it opposes connecting the Lebanese situation to the ongoing war involving Iran.

Ceasefire Response Amid U.S. Pressure

Under U.S. influence, Israel agreed to a ceasefire with Hezbollah on June 19, yet violence has continued to flare. Hezbollah has voiced consistent objections to the negotiations between Israel and Lebanon and is not taking part in the dialogue.

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