A recent Axios report reveals an agreement among the US, Israel, and Lebanon for Israel to maintain its occupation in southern Lebanon for weeks or months. Concurrently, the US is reinstating $95 million in military assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces to counter Hezbollah’s influence, amidst unfolding political and military tensions.
Recent reports indicate a tacit agreement among US, Israeli, and Lebanese officials regarding the ongoing Israeli occupation of specific territories in southern Lebanon. According to Axios, this understanding suggests that Israel will maintain its presence in these locations for several weeks or months, following the war’s conclusion in November.
Although the Israeli military has withdrawn from certain southern Lebanese areas, it continues to occupy five strategic positions within Lebanese borders. Israel’s occupation is conditional on the stabilization efforts of the Lebanese Army, aimed at neutralizing the Hezbollah threat.
In tandem with these developments, the US State Department has announced the resumption of $95 million in military assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces, following a prior block during President Trump’s aid freeze. This aid is part of a larger strategy intended to diminish Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon and ensure peace between Israel and Lebanon.
Moreover, security personnel at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport recently blocked several Iranian flights amid concerns of Hezbollah-related financing. In response to this blockade, pro-Hezbollah protestors clashed with the Lebanese Army, leading to the use of tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The appointment of LAF General Joseph Aoun as Lebanese president was made in January under US influence, marking a significant political maneuver amid the ongoing regional tensions. These strategic decisions underscore the complexities and power dynamics present in the region as the US seeks to reinforce stability.
In summary, Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon are expected to persist under a quiet agreement with the United States. Military aid from the US aims to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces while curtailing Hezbollah’s sway in Lebanon. Political and military developments, including the blockage of Iranian flights and the new presidential appointment, further illustrate the heightened tensions and strategic maneuvers in the region.
Original Source: thecradle.co
