Hezbollah is likely to demand firm guarantees that Israeli forces will withdraw from southern Lebanon before committing to any ceasefire arrangement, according to a regional expert.
Randa Slim, Middle East programme director at the Stimson Center, said previous ceasefire agreements between Israel and Lebanon have not been fully implemented.
“Even the last one that has been mediated by Mr Trump himself has not been implemented,” Slim told Al Jazeera.
She said Israel has continued to insist on maintaining operational freedom in southern Lebanon.
“Israel has demanded and insisted on having the freedom of manoeuvring in the south of Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah assets, targeting Hezbollah officials,” she said.
According to Slim, Hezbollah is expected to seek assurances that Israel will honour any withdrawal commitments under a future ceasefire agreement.
“Hezbollah… in response to this ceasefire announcement, will say: What’s going to be the guarantee if we leave the south, that Israel will withdraw from the south of Lebanon?
“What’s the guarantee that they will respect the sovereignty of Lebanon and not attack us in the southern suburbs of Beirut or somewhere else?” she said.
Her comments come amid ongoing discussions over efforts to reinforce a ceasefire arrangement between Israel and Lebanon.
#From Al Jazeera