US envoy urges Israel to comply to ceasefire with Hezbollah
US envoy Thomas Barrack has urged Israel to fulfil its obligations under a ceasefire with Hezbollah that stopped its conflict with the group, according to Arab Weekly plus agencies on August 18th.
This proclamation came on August 18th, after the Lebanese government began the process for Hezbollah’s disarmament.Â
Following a truce agreement in November, weapons in Lebanon were to be restricted to the state. And Israel was to fully pull out its troops from the country. Despite this, Israel has kept forces at five border points for strategic reasons.
Barrack has commented following a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Beirut, saying the Lebanese government “has done their part” and now Israel must “comply.” Barrack believes the next step is for Israel to fully withdraw from the Lebanese territory, and that an “economic plan for prosperity, restoration, and renovation” in Lebanon is needed.
Lebanon is currently weakened by its multiple political and economic crises in recent years, placing it in a dire position. The nation recently reflected on the five-year anniversary of the Beirut port explosion, which was on August 4th. The incident killed over 220 people and injured thousands following the detonation of 3,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which was improperly stored. Authorities are yet to establish any accountability regarding the incident.Â
Barrack’s visit comes after the Lebanese army was tasked by Lebanon’s cabinet to develop a plan to disarm Hezbollah by the end of 2025. This marks a key step since civil war factions surrendered their weapons tens of years ago.Â
The US is urging Lebanon to take action against the Iran-backed military group. Another cabinet meeting on August 7th tackled a US proposal that included a timetable for Hezbollah’s disarmament. The cabinet backed the introduction of the US text, which contained 11 goals. This included “ensuring the sustainability” of the November ceasefire deal with Israel, and “the gradual end of the armed presence of… Hezbollah, in all Lebanese territory.”
Israel has signalled that it will not hesitate to launch destructive military operations if Lebanon fails to get Hezbollah to surrender its arms. Israel has openly admitted to going against the ceasefire. On July 29th, Israel’s army admitted to having breached the agreement, stating that it has carried out around 500 strikes since the truce of November.Â
Arab Weekly plus agencies, Maghrebi.org
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