An American envoy, who is leading talks for a truce between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanonstated this Tuesday that an agreement to end the war between both actors is “within reach”. This security zone would be guarded by Lebanese troops and blue helmets of the UN.
According to Amos Hochsteinrepresentative of the Biden AdministrationHezbollah’s allies in the Lebanese Government would have responded positively to the proposal that both its fighters and Israeli forces to withdraw from a UN zone in southern Lebanon. This news comes after a meeting between the envoy and the participants from the Lebanon side, this Tuesday the 19th.
Hochstein said that he and the speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, who acts as a mediator before this paramilitary group, held constructive talks. “Ultimately, it is the decision of both sides to reach a conclusion to this conflict. It is now within our reach,” the US envoy said.
The points of friction between both areas continue
Despite the good news, Hochstein admitted that the technical details of a possible truce remain unresolved. Israel is likely to demand a greater presence of troops throughout the area that delimits the two countriesincluding the ability to conduct military operations against Hezbollah.
The area is known as “blue line“and was first established by the United Nations in the year 2000. In the region there are troops of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)created to establish a zone in the south of the country free of armed forces.
Lebanon is likely to oppose new military operations throughout the areawhere members of the FINUL have been attacked with rockets following the escalation of tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
Israel accused UNIFIL of turning a blind eye to Hezbollah and its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahudemanded that UN forces withdraw from “combat zones.” The United Nations insisted that its peacekeeping forces will remain in the region.
Israel offered a reward for every hostage freed in Gaza and killed Hezbollah spokesman Mohamad Afif
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his government offers a reward of US$5 million to anyone who frees one of the almost one hundred hostages that still remain in the hands of the Palestinian movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
“Anyone who returns a hostage to us will find a safe way for him and his family to leave (Gaza). We will also give a reward of five million dollars for each hostage,” Netanyahu said in a video recorded from the Palestinian territory.
For its part, the Israeli army assured that it “eliminated” Hezbollah’s press officer, Mohammad Afif. This was announced after one of his last attacks in Beirut, last Sunday, and presented him as “chief of propaganda” of the Lebanese Islamist movement. He was charged with “the execution of terrorist activities.”
Source: Ambito
