Lebanon wants Israel’s continued airstrikes to stop. Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire last November after the IDF dealt Hezbollah serious blows. The ceasefire is ostensibly between Israel and Lebanon, and this covers Hezbollah, because it should mean that Israel’s airstrikes stop. Israel has asserted, however, that it has a right to continue striking Hezbollah. Tensions are escalating.
“Lebanese President Joseph Aoun instructed the army on Thursday to confront any Israeli incursion into southern Lebanon after Israeli forces crossed the border overnight and killed a municipal employee, despite a US-brokered ceasefire,” Reuters reported.
The main reason the airstrikes are continuing is to prevent Hezbollah from regrowing its tentacles in Lebanon. The airstrikes likely also can pressure Lebanon to finally rein in Hezbollah and disarm it. There was optimism this past spring that Lebanon would do the right thing. The new president, Aoun, and the new prime minister, Nawaf Salam, have appeared to want to disarm Hezbollah.
They talk a good game, and they have regional support to disarm the group as well. Arab states such as Saudi Arabia would like to see Hezbollah’s power reduced. The problem with Aoun and Salam, however, is that they have been involved in Lebanese politics and affairs for decades. They are creatures of the state. (Read More)
