The Israeli newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth" reported today, Sunday, that "negotiations between the United States, France, Lebanon, and the Lebanese Hezbollah group are making progress. Israel is demanding the organization be pushed beyond the Litani River; however, it seems likely to agree to a partial withdrawal of the group from the border area, and in return, Israel may agree to return one of the disputed areas of land."
Yedioth stated that "about 2,000 members of the Radwan Brigades, the largest part of Hezbollah, have withdrawn in recent weeks from the front line to a range of around 4 to 6 kilometers." It noted that "as part of the negotiations, this scenario may occur, with Israel consenting to the return of the organization to some small points that have been a long-standing subject of dispute."
The Israeli newspaper further explained that "there are 12 disputed points along 130 kilometers between Ras Naqoura and the slopes of Mount Hermon, the most significant of which is the Shebaa Farms." It added that "estimates in Israel are pessimistic about the success of this scenario, with Israeli officials believing there is a 30% chance of success."
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant announced dramatically at the end of the week that "for Israel, it will not fire on Hezbollah during the proposed truce with Hamas, as part of a deal for detainees and prisoners." The newspaper highlighted that in the previous deal, the ceasefire in Gaza also extended to the Lebanese front, and Hezbollah took advantage of that to rearm its positions, while Israeli soldiers were instructed to cease fire.
The paper noted that "in recent days, messages have spread on social media from right-wing parties warning of an unprecedented disaster for the Israeli home front if Israel engages in a conflict with Hezbollah. These warnings indicated that the Lebanese organization possesses thousands of precise missiles of various types that could damage the home front in Israel."
"Yedioth Ahronoth" states that "so far, estimates from the security establishment indicate that during confrontations between Hezbollah and the Israeli army since the start of the war, only about 5% of the combat strength has been mobilized."
Israeli Army spokesperson Daniel Hagari explained last night "the fighting on the northern border, providing a presentation showing the area from which Hezbollah operates in Lebanon, and revealing documents of attacks in Syria and Lebanon that have yet to be published." He stated: "At the beginning of the war, Hezbollah was trying to divert our attention from the fighting in Gaza, firing at Israel, and attempting to carry out further armed actions against Israelis." He clarified that "over the past four months, we have waged a very intense war on the northern front aimed at reshaping the northern borders." According to him, the Israeli army has so far eliminated over 200 operatives and leaders within Hezbollah.
