US Proposes Ceasefire in Lebanon Amid Ongoing Conflict
In a significant diplomatic move, US Ambassador to Lebanon, Lisa Johnson, has presented a draft ceasefire proposal to Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. This proposal marks the first written initiative from Washington in several weeks, aimed at halting the ongoing violence in the region. According to sources, the proposal was delivered during a meeting between Johnson and Berri, with the intent of obtaining feedback from the Lebanese side. However, details regarding the terms of the ceasefire remain undisclosed, and the US embassy in Beirut has not commented on the matter.
The ceasefire discussions are closely linked to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which was established to end the 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. This resolution mandates that southern Lebanon be free from non-state weapons. While Lebanon has expressed support for this resolution as a pathway to peace, Israel has maintained its right to conduct operations against Hezbollah should the group violate the ceasefire or pose a threat. Lebanese officials have firmly rejected any notion of unilateral actions by Israel, emphasizing that such an approach is unacceptable.
In addition to the ceasefire proposal, Israeli media reports suggest that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is engaged in consultations regarding a political settlement concerning Lebanon. The Israeli Broadcasting Authority has indicated that Hezbollah possesses the capability to sustain a prolonged conflict, with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar asserting that Israel's objective is to disarm Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, particularly up to the Litani River. Unlike the situation in Gaza, where the goal is to eliminate Hamas, the approach towards Hezbollah appears to be more focused on containment and negotiation.
