US Envoy Hochstein's Visit to Lebanon Aims for Ceasefire Agreement
Amos Hochstein, the US President Joe Biden's advisor and envoy to Lebanon, is set to arrive in Israel next Wednesday following a visit to Lebanon. This trip is part of ongoing efforts to establish a ceasefire agreement amid escalating tensions in the region. According to Israeli media, significant progress in the ceasefire talks is anticipated during Hochstein's visit, with expectations from Tel Aviv for a Lebanese response to the American proposal within days.
The draft settlement agreement reportedly includes several key provisions aimed at stabilizing the situation. It proposes the deployment of 5,000 Lebanese soldiers in southern Lebanon, a commitment from Israel to refrain from attacking Lebanon, and a redrawing of the land borders between the two nations. Furthermore, the agreement emphasizes adherence to Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for the Lebanese army to be the sole armed force in the south, alongside UNIFIL forces.
Key Elements of the Proposed Settlement Agreement
The American proposal also seeks to prevent the rearmament of unofficial armed groups in Lebanon, placing any arms sales or production under the supervision of the Lebanese government. Additionally, it grants Lebanese security forces the authority to monitor the entry of weapons across the border and dismantle any unauthorized military infrastructure.
As part of the agreement, Israel is expected to withdraw from southern Lebanon within seven days, with the Lebanese army taking over under international supervision. Armed groups south of the Litani River would be disarmed within 60 days of the agreement's signing. This comes in the wake of a significant escalation in violence, with Israeli airstrikes and ground invasions resulting in over 3,445 deaths and 14,599 injuries in Lebanon since September 23, alongside approximately 1.4 million displaced individuals. Hezbollah has responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli military positions.
The situation remains tense, and the outcome of Hochstein's negotiations could have far-reaching implications for peace and stability in the region.
