On October 21, American envoys held talks in Beirut with Lebanese officials concerning ceasefire conditions between Israel and Hezbollah. On the same day, Israel launched attacks on several branches of a financial institution in Lebanon associated with Hezbollah.
The American envoy, Amos Hochstein, met with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri in Beirut.
Berri told local media that Hochstein’s visit represents the “last opportunity” to broker a ceasefire in the Middle East before the U.S. elections. Berri has been working tirelessly to achieve a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Mikati’s office released a statement indicating that United Nations Resolution 1701 has no alternative but could be implemented through a “new understanding.”
According to UN Security Council Resolution 1701 passed in 2006, the UN peacekeeping mission is authorized to assist the Lebanese army in keeping the southern border areas with Israel free from weapons or armed personnel, allowing only the presence of armed forces loyal to the Lebanese government. This resolution effectively prohibits Hamas militants from operating in the border areas between Lebanon and Israel.
Efforts to calm the conflict between Israel and Hamas, along with Hezbollah sympathizers, have been ongoing since Hamas’s attack on Israel in October last year. The conflict has now entered its second year.
After Israel’s recent strike that killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the U.S. hopes to drive a new peace process in the Middle East. Sinwar was the mastermind behind the previous attack on Israel.
American officials are seeking a ceasefire in Lebanon. Israel initiated ground operations in Lebanon in early October, already eliminating many top Hezbollah figures. Both Hezbollah and Hamas are armed groups supported by Iran and designated as terrorist organizations by Western countries. Hezbollah claims to represent Palestinians in their fight against Israel.
American media outlet Axios reported that Israel has provided the U.S. with a document outlining its diplomatic conditions to end the conflict in Lebanon.
Israel demands the ability for its military to carry out “active enforcement” to prevent Hezbollah from redeploying near the border and seeks freedom of action for its air force in Lebanese airspace.
A U.S. official informed Axios that the likelihood of Lebanon and the international community agreeing to Israel’s conditions is minimal.
Israel has stated that its military objectives in Lebanon include pushing Hezbollah out of border areas to allow tens of thousands of Israelis to return home after being displaced due to Hezbollah attacks over the past year.
On Monday, the Israeli military reported airstrikes on several short-range missile launchers in southern Lebanon, hitting 15 launchers targeting settlements in northern Israel.
During the night, Israel also targeted various locations in Beirut, southern Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley associated with the Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association, a banking system operated by Hezbollah.
Israel claims this banking system funds Hezbollah operations independently of Lebanon’s banking system.
The U.S. stated that the association is used by Hezbollah to manage its finances. The association has over 30 branches in Lebanon, with 15 located in densely populated areas in central Beirut and its suburbs.
Local residents were given warnings before the attacks, and there have been no reports of injuries to residents so far.
The Israeli military has not relented in its offensive against Hezbollah. Washington has pressured Israel not to target Iran’s energy facilities or nuclear installations.
During a visit to Kyiv, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that the U.S. military swiftly deployed its advanced Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system to Israel, which is now operational.
Austin declined to confirm if THAAD has been activated but added, “We have the ability to operationalize very quickly, and we are on pace as planned.”
(Report referenced from Reuters)