'License to kill': Lebanon must believe Israel will conquer without resolution, MidEast expert says

Professor Amatzia Baram, professor emeritus of Middle East history and director of the Center for Iraq Studies at the University of Haifa, emphasized that for a resolution in Lebanon to be reached, it is crucial for the Lebanese people to believe that Israel will conquer their country if a ceasefire deal is not achieved.

Baram made these remarks in a recent interview with Maariv, addressing reports that Lebanese residents fear Israel may not withdraw from the country.

“I want the Lebanese to think, believe, and understand that if there's no solution to the problem in southern Lebanon, we will conquer all of Lebanon. Or at least Beirut."

“I need the Lebanese, including the Shiites, to think this way. I believe we need to make it clear to the Lebanese that no one will return home. All of southern Lebanon is currently evacuating, up to the Awali River, which covers all of southern Lebanon. They need to believe they won't return home unless there is an agreement. The goal is to apply pressure for a resolution.

A new force to replace UNIFIL

"But the other side of the equation is that we have no interest in staying in Lebanon, including southern Lebanon. The condition for our withdrawal is the establishment of an international force to replace UNIFIL, the current UN force. READ MORE