Israel/Palestine
In reply to the discussion: With ceasefire holding, Home Front Command eases restrictions in northern Israel [View all]Beastly Boy
(11,753 posts)First of all, this is a cease fire agreement, not a peace treaty, an agreement that is limited to its terms. And the wording of these terms matters, wouldn't you say?
Ok then, let's do just that. Let's familiarize ourselves with what exactly we are talking about before we talk about it.
Here is the text of the agreement: https://www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-the-israel-hezbollah-ceasefire-deal/ . Good enough?
So let's wipe those Mr. Peabody glasses of any excess dirt and put them on:
First, note that the agreement is between Israel and Lebanon, not Israel and Hezbollah.
Next, look at the preamble to the agreement which articulates its purpose: "These understandings reflect steps to which Israel and Lebanon are committed in order to implement fully United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701, recognizing that UNSCR 1701 also calls for full implementation of its predecessor UNSC resolutions, including 'disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon' so that the only forces authorized to carry arms in Lebanon will be the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), Internal Security Forces, Directorate of General Security, General Directorate of State Security, Lebanese Customs, and Municipal Police (bolding mine). So the dismantlement of all armed groups other than those listed is the goal, not a violation of the agreement.
Then, take a peek at Article 2 of the agreement: "2. From 04:00 hours (IST/EET), November 27, 2024 forward, the Government of Lebanon will prevent Hezbollah and all other armed groups in the territory of Lebanon from carrying out any operations against Israel, and Israel will not carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian, military, or other state targets, in the territory of Lebanon by land, air, or sea." (bolding mine). Note the distinction between "any operations against Israel" and "any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets". Clearly, the restrictions on Hezbollah are much more exacting than the restrictions on Israel, and for good reasons.
Th only references in the agreement regarding south of Litani River are contained in Article 7 (b) and (c), and Article 12. None of them mention Hezbollah. The only obligations regarding this area are on the Government of Lebanon: to provide all necessary authorities to "dismantle all existing unauthorized facilities involved in the production of arms and related materiel, and prevent the establishment of such facilities in the future", "dismantle all infrastructure and military positions, and confiscate all unauthorized arms", and "deploy forces, set road blocks and checkpoints on all the roads and bridges along the line delineating the Southern Litani Area."
Well, OK then: the ceasefire agreement DOES forbid Hezbollah militants from operating or carrying arms anywhere in Lebanon, not just south of the Litani River, and that specifically includes the city of Sidon, no matter how you look at the map of Lebanon. A military strike on any specific Hezbollah target DOES NOT constitute an offensive military operation, nor does it constitute a military operation against a Lebanese target. In fact, it may constitute enforcement of the cease fire agreement as well as that of the UN Resolution 1701. The US letter of guaranties to Israel that you mentioned specifically reserves the right for Israel to conduct just such operations. And nothing in your post, your unfounded protestations notwithstanding, constitutes a violation of the cease fire agreement.
Nothing has been overlooked. Not by the signatories to the agreement, anyway. And, in deference to the DU terms of use, I would, however reluctantly, refrain from any comments as to what has been overlooked, by whom, and for what reasons.
Oh, and nothing just kind of almost slipped by either. All the instances you mentioned had been previously covered in separate reports:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-confirms-carrying-out-drone-strike-in-south-lebanon-says-it-was-warning-shot/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-strikes-hezbollah-rocket-depot-after-identifying-violations-of-fresh-ceasefire/
https://www.jns.org/idf-fires-at-ceasefire-violators-in-lebanon/
Edit history
Recommendations
3 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):