Breakthrough agreement may halt Hezbollah attacks, allow evacuees to return

The proposed agreement requires a withdrawal of Hezbollah to 8 to 10 kilometers from the border with Israel.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

A significant breakthrough has developed in negotiations with Lebanon that could lead to an end of fighting and eventually the return of Israeli evacuees to their homes in the north, Maariv reports.

The deal is being reached through negotiations with White House envoy Amos Hochstein.

The potential plan includes three stages beginning with the withdrawal of Hezbollah to a distance of 8 to 10 kilometers from the border with Israel, deployment of forces in the region and the return of Israeli evacuees to their homes in the north.

Also included in the proposed agreement is a demarcation of borders and incentives the US has offered to Beirut to secure their acceptance of the plan.

French officials are also trying to re-establish calm in Lebanon and have requested the forming of a committee that would include France, the US, Lebanon, Israel and another Arab country.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said of a prospective agreement with Lebanon, “We prefer an orderly process over war, under the simple condition that Hezbollah will not be able to threaten through raids or shooting.”

He added, “If the political move does not succeed, we will not hesitate to use military force to return the residents to their homes.”

According to a local newspaper, Lebanese Foreign Minister, Abdallah Bou Habib said he rejects any plan that includes the requirement that Hezbollah retreat to 8 to 10 kilometers from the Israeli border north of the Litani River.

He said, “Beirut opposes partial solutions that will not bring peace and stability, but will lead to a resumption of fighting.”

According to Sky News,Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Hassan Shoukry is traveling to Beirut to hold several meetings with Lebanese government officials.

Lobby 1701, an organization that represents the 60,000 Israeli residents from the north who were evacuated from their homes, said, “The residents of the north demand that the Israeli government clearly declare that it will not accept any outline of surrender to the terrorist organization Hezbollah. Not a 50 percent and not a 30 percent chance.”

They added, “The residents of the north make it clear: there is zero chance that we will return to any arrangement that stems from concessions and weakness will advance Hezbollah to the border line and bring the next disaster closer to the settlements of the north and Israel as a whole.”

“We will no longer agree to live under the constant threat of massacre, shooting and kidnapping,” Lobby 1701 concluded.