Time for a Ceasefire?

US special envoys Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk met Israel’s Prime Minister and his negotiating team on Thursday in Jerusalem, continuing the Biden administration`s efforts to reach a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Lebanon with Hezbollah.

They are said to have discussed a proposal based on UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which was used to end the Second Lebanon War in 2006 and required Hezbollah forces to disarm and withdraw to the north, beyond the Litani River.

According to Israel Hayom, these negotiations have led to the postponement of an additional IDF offensive in southern Lebanon which was already in preparation. That mission is now being re-evaluated while the IDF waits for further instructions from Israel’s government.

Following Thursday’s meeting, the Prime Minister’s office issued a statement, saying:

"Prime Minister Netanyahu made it clear that the main point is not this or that agreement on paper but Israel`s ability and determination to enforce the agreement and thwart any threat to its security from Lebanon, in a manner that will return our residents securely to their homes."

That statement reveals the scepticism in Israel regarding the ability to put agreements into practice. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was supposed to ensure that Hezbollah withdrew from the area south of the Litani river. Instead, it has allowed Hezbollah to increase its presence substantially and now finds itself in the crossfire.

In this video clip, ILTV News discusses the advisability of a ceasefire agreement with Dr Gerald Steinberg, Chief Executive Officer of NGO Monitor.