News Update
Israel and Lebanon have entered into a 10 day ceasefire agreement, which Hezbollah says that it will respect. Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “We have an opportunity to make a historic peace agreement with Lebanon. President Trump intends to invite me and the president of Lebanon to try to advance this agreement.” According to Netanyahu, Israeli forces are maintaining a buffer zone about 10 kilometers (6 miles) deep inside southern Lebanon, to prevent anti-tank fire and incursions into northern Israel. Many residents of the north are unhappy with the ceasefire, which leaves Hezbollah in tact and capable of attacking in the future. The ceasefire, which came into force at midnight, followed hours of rocket fire from Lebanon into northern Israel. The IDF responded with attacks against Hezbollah targets.
One of the main impetuses for the agreement is to help move the U.S.-Iran negotiations forward, which at its core demands that Iran give up its nuclear ambitions and its stock of enriched uranium. Iran was demanding that a ceasefire in Lebanon be included in an agreement. Notably, Iran did not include the status of Hamas in their demands, despite pleas from Hamas to do so. If a new Iran does emerge from this current conflict, then the days of Hamas and Hezbollah could be numbered. Let’s hope that’s the case.