ل" in Southern Confrontations... and Hochstein Moves for "Party" Withdrawal**
The southern border witnessed a notable escalation yesterday, accompanied by diplomatic developments that added a special meaning to this escalation. Amid the rain of missiles and shells on both sides of the border, Israeli media reported that U.S. presidential envoy Amos Hochstein began a new round of discussions with leaders of the Israeli state concerning proposals related to easing tensions between Lebanon and Israel. In this context, the Israeli newspaper "Haaretz" stated that Hochstein would meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of War Benny Gantz, and President Isaac Herzog, in an attempt to reach an arrangement with the Hezbollah group in Lebanon.
At night, news reported that Gantz informed Hochstein that Lebanon is responsible for the terrorism originating from its territory. He stated that Israel would expand and deepen its military operations according to "Nidaa Al-Watan". For its part, the Israeli newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth" reported that Israel would agree to a partial withdrawal of Hezbollah from the border to a distance ranging from 8 to 12 kilometers, in a significant portion of southern Lebanon. The report revealed that the party had withdrawn around 2,000 members of its elite force (the Radwan forces) from the line of contact to areas 4 to 6 kilometers behind the border.
In the same context, a source well-informed shared with "Nidaa Al-Watan" that all international envoys, notably British Foreign Minister David Cameron, focused on a key point concerning the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701, especially the clause related to deploying the army in the area south of the Litani river, with exceptional interest, from the perspective of expressing readiness to support the army in various needs to raise its numbers in this area to 15,000 soldiers, ensuring complete deployment across the geographical area covered by UN Resolution 1701. The source clarified that the common denominator among all envoys is the necessity of implementing Resolution 1701 and enhancing the army's capabilities in southern Litani. Specifically, the British Foreign Minister had a clear view, stating: "We helped the army and supported it logistically and in training to establish border battalions along the eastern and northern borders, so why not apply the same to the southern border?"
He added: "We are ready to support the army and assist it in any requests to establish border battalions tasked with deployment along the southern border," noting that he did not mention building observation towers, as is occurring at the eastern-northern borders, recognizing that Israel might not approve their construction by any party in Lebanon.
The source revealed that Cameron clearly indicated that the only point delaying the announcement of a deal between Israel and Hamas is one: while the Israelis want a ceasefire, Hamas seeks a cessation of hostilities. The source warned that this dilemma means that Israel wants to maintain military and security initiative within its hands, stressing the seriousness of the situation on the southern front, as it is not necessarily the case that what happens in Gaza will be implemented in Lebanon, and the Israelis might proceed with their military and security operations.
On the political level, in his first statement of this kind following the outbreak of southern confrontations, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri announced yesterday that the Amal Movement stands alongside Hezbollah in defending every grain of Lebanese soil. However, in this battle, the Amal Movement is resisting within its military capabilities, as it does not possess the capabilities of Hezbollah. He stated: "I am not afraid for my diplomatic role, as diplomatic resistance is an essential part of resistance."
In Israel, the newspaper "Haaretz" reported, citing reports from Lebanon, that the Amal Movement is responsible for the recent rockets fired at northern Israel. The Israeli i24 channel quoted an Israeli officer stating that if the Israeli government wants to escalate the war with southern Lebanon, it should realize that it will be facing not just Hezbollah, but also Amal.
In contrast, Defense Minister Yoav Galant warned Hezbollah that Israel has many offensive tools that it can use in Lebanon. He stated during a tour at the Tel Nof airbase in central Israel: "We have not yet started activating all our units and all our special abilities. We have many elements ready. The clear instructions I have given to the air force are to direct our aircraft's noses northward. We are prepared."
