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The Fragile Path to Ceasefire Between Israel and Lebanon. In the Crossfire, Lebanon’s Cultural Heritage and Lives at Risk as Ceasefire Talks Stall.
Reliable sources suggest that the latest updates on ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Lebanon have dampened the initial optimism for an early agreement this week, as both on-the-ground developments and discussions have faced renewed complexities.
Initial reports indicated that a 60-day ceasefire was being considered, grounded primarily in a UN resolution. Under this plan, Hezbollah would withdraw to the north of the Litani River, allowing the Lebanese Army to deploy in positions to the south.
A 60-day ceasefire was initially proposed but faces stringent Israeli conditions.
Additional reports have surfaced detailing stringent Israeli conditions, including the freedom to conduct operations in Lebanon at will and to carry out continuous surveillance activities, effectively granting Israel security dominance over Lebanese territory.
On Friday, reports from Lebanese sources citing Reuters indicated that the United States had requested Lebanon to announce a unilateral ceasefire with Israel. This would entail Lebanon alone declaring a cessation of hostilities, ostensibly to facilitate negotiations toward a definitive end to the conflict.
The Lebanese government swiftly denied the reports, with Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s office reemphasizing Lebanon’s stance on the necessity of a comprehensive ceasefire and the enactment of UN Resolution 1701.
Meanwhile, the US Envoy Amos Hochstein also denied the reports.
It was noted that Lebanon was conspicuously absent from numerous ceasefire discussions, a trend that saw the main channel of communication being between the US and Israel.
The recent ceasefire negotiations are intricately connected to the forthcoming US presidential elections, set for November 5.
The US requested a unilateral ceasefire from Lebanon, which was denied by the Lebanese government.
These elections occur amidst considerable local discontent with the performances of the two principal parties, the Republicans and the Democrats.
Since October 7, 2023, the United States has provided $17.9 billion in military aid to Israel, according to a report from the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University. The report highlights that tens of billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars have been allocated to support Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Lebanon.
Meanwhile, international diplomatic efforts are unfolding. In Egypt, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi recently met with CIA Director William Burns in Cairo to discuss the ceasefire and other key developments related to Gaza and Lebanon.
Daily confrontations between the Israeli army and Hezbollah persist, with entire towns and villages in southern Lebanon being leveled by Israeli forces.
Reportedly, Hezbollah has managed to inflict significant losses on the Israeli army and prevent any occupation of Lebanese border villages, demonstrating strong resistance and causing numerous casualties.
With no clear sign of an impending ceasefire, Israeli strikes continue to bring widespread destruction and suffering to communities across Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank, and the broader region.
On Friday morning, at least ten attacks were launched by Israeli forces in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Before the strikes, the Israeli army had issued evacuation orders to residents in the area. Footage released by the AFP news agency captured explosions and plumes of smoke rising from multiple locations.
Ongoing airstrikes have resulted in over 600 casualties in Lebanon since the conflict escalated.
According to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA), the attacks resulted in extensive destruction, with dozens of buildings reported as destroyed, alongside numerous fires breaking out in various spots. Reports indicate that these Israeli strikes also targeted Bint Jbeil, located south of Beirut, as well as areas southeast of the city.
These attacks coincided with a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. officials, where they discussed a potential agreement to end the conflict in Lebanon. This diplomatic engagement is seen as a significant effort ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election next Tuesday.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has condemned the “expansion” of Israeli attacks on Lebanon, asserting that it reflects a refusal to engage in ceasefire efforts. “The devastating attacks on the southern suburbs of Beirut indicate Israel’s rejection of all attempts to achieve a ceasefire,” he stated.
In addition, Lebanon’s official news agency, NNA, reported that Israeli warplanes targeted the eastern city of Baalbek, which is renowned for its Roman-era ruins recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine-Hans Plasschert has warned that the ongoing conflict poses a “deep danger” to Lebanon’s cultural heritage.
Arshad Mehmood is a conflict zone journalist with extensive experience covering the US-led invasion of Afghanistan. Associated with a prestigious American news agency, The Media Line USA. He is a highly experienced journalist with a proven track record of covering inland and across-the-border terrorism and counter-terrorism narratives and incidents. (https://themedialine.org/) Most of his news stories published in The Media Line are also featured on JPost.com, a major media outlet in the Middle East. He can be reached via @RajaAajtv on social media.
