In a move that underscores the gravity of the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, Israel has reportedly submitted a document to the United States, outlining its non-negotiable principles for a potential ceasefire. The Israeli position, as revealed by a report by Barak Ravid from the Israeli news service Walla, hinges on the full and uncompromising implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which was established to conclude the bloody 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.
Israel insists that this ceasefire cannot mirror the failed outcomes of 2006. As part of its demands, the Israeli government has made it clear that it reserves the right to maintain localized military operations in southern Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its vast network of military infrastructure near Israel's northern border. This point is non-negotiable, as Hezbollah’s militarization of the border area has been a significant source of tension and conflict since the resolution was first drafted. The role was supposed to be the responsibility of the Lebanese army, supported by the United Nations. Instead, the U.N. force in Lebanon stood by as Hezbollah militarized southern Lebanon, in some cases building infrastructure adjacent to U.N. bases within sight of their watchtowers.
Israel has outlined demands for a ceasefire that allows the IDF to continue to operate in Lebanon and Lebanese airspace to enforce Resolution 1701.
— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) October 21, 2024
The international community is reportedly unlikely to accept this arrangement.
But the international community has also proved… pic.twitter.com/O4lOIQXG8h
"If They Do More, We'll Do Less": Israel Pushes Lebanon and UNIFIL to Act
An anonymous Israeli source told Walla that if both the Lebanese Armed Forces and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) stepped up their enforcement to prevent Hezbollah from rearming, Israel would reduce its military activity in the region. This statement encapsulates Israel’s frustration with the current status quo and its readiness to take matters into its own hands should international actors fail once again.
U.S. Diplomatic Efforts: Hochstein's Lebanon Visit
In an effort to de-escalate the rapidly deteriorating situation, U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein has embarked on a delicate mission to broker a ceasefire. His visit to Lebanon on Monday follows intense fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, resulting in significant casualties and displacement in Lebanon.
My prediction for the near future
— Mwarnism ⳩🇻🇦🇱🇧 (@Maronidd) October 21, 2024
Nabih Berri and Hezbollah in their egoism will not accept amendments made to 1701
No ceasefire
The war continues
Trump becomes US president and gives Israel a white card to do whatever it wants
Lebanon is forced to completely kneel
Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, voiced support for UN Resolution 1701, but hinted at the possibility of "new understandings" to ensure it is properly implemented this time around. Mikati’s careful phrasing reflects Lebanon’s precarious position, as Hezbollah's entrenchment within the country's political and military spheres makes any decisive action against the militant group a fraught proposition.
UN Resolution 1701: The Broken Promise
Resolution 1701 was meant to be the cornerstone of peace in the region, calling for Hezbollah’s withdrawal to the north of the Litani River, far from Israel’s border. It also mandated a UN peacekeeping force to support the Lebanese army in maintaining a Hezbollah-free zone. Yet, Israel has long maintained that the resolution was never fully enforced. Hezbollah has, in fact, expanded its military capabilities, establishing a complex network of fortified positions, tunnels, and rocket launchers aimed squarely at Israel.
A first hand testimony of a Danish UNIFIL soldier regarding the absurd reality of this force operations in Lebanon over the past 18 years:
— Dror Doron (@DrorDoron) October 21, 2024
"We were totally subject to Hezbollah. We clearly had limited freedom of movement. "
UNSC 1701 must be revised!https://t.co/klxm6fWMV9
The current conflict, which erupted in September following Israel’s offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon, has only confirmed Israel’s long-standing concerns. The IDF’s targeted strikes have decimated Hezbollah’s leadership and destroyed key military sites, dealing a severe blow to the Iran-backed terrorist organization. But this has come at a steep cost, with hundreds of Lebanese civilians killed, thousands injured, and an estimated half a million displaced.
Hochstein's Call for Action: Ceasefire Not Enough
Speaking after his meeting with Nabih Berri, the Speaker of Lebanon’s Parliament and a known Hezbollah ally, U.S. envoy Hochstein stressed that while Resolution 1701 should be the foundation for peace, both sides must do more than simply recommit to it. “Commitment alone is not enough,” Hochstein said. “What’s needed is full implementation of the resolution’s measures.” His comments reflect the U.S. position that unless both Hezbollah and Israel take tangible steps to de-escalate, this conflict will only deepen.
Hochstein further emphasized that the future of Lebanon should not be held hostage by Hezbollah’s regional ambitions. “Tying Lebanon’s future to other conflicts in the region was not and is not in the interest of the Lebanese people,” he remarked, adding that the U.S. is working around the clock to bring an end to the hostilities.
A first hand testimony of a Danish UNIFIL soldier regarding the absurd reality of this force operations in Lebanon over the past 18 years:
— Dror Doron (@DrorDoron) October 21, 2024
"We were totally subject to Hezbollah. We clearly had limited freedom of movement. "
UNSC 1701 must be revised!https://t.co/klxm6fWMV9
Israel's Endgame: A Clear Message
Israel’s message is clear: any ceasefire must be accompanied by ironclad guarantees that Hezbollah will not be allowed to rebuild or rearm, and the failures of 2006 must not be repeated. Should international actors fail to enforce these measures, Israel will not hesitate to act unilaterally, securing its northern border and ensuring that Hezbollah’s military ambitions are permanently crippled.
The stakes are high. The coming days will determine whether this decades-long cycle of conflict will finally be broken—or whether Hezbollah’s defiance and the international community’s inertia will lead to further bloodshed.
