Israel intensifies strikes on Beirut amid ceasefire talks with Hezbollah

Meanwhile, Ali Hassan Khalil, a close ally of Hezbollah and an aide to Lebanon’s parliament speaker, told Al Jazeera on Wednesday that Lebanon is prepared to “precisely” implement the terms of the UN Security Council’s 2006 Resolution 1701. This resolution calls for Hezbollah to withdraw its fighters and remove weapons from areas between the Israeli border and the Litani River, approximately 30 km (20 miles) from Lebanon’s southern frontier.

Asked if Hezbollah had shown a willingness to withdraw, Khalil confirmed that the group is “committed to what is stated in these texts” of Resolution 1701.

Since launching its latest offensive against Hezbollah in late September, Israel has dealt heavy blows to the group, with airstrikes, ground incursions, and targeted attacks that have killed senior leaders, including Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. Despite the losses, Hezbollah has continued its rocket attacks on Israel and has engaged Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, where Israel reported six soldiers killed in clashes on Wednesday.

The United States and other international powers are calling for a ceasefire based on the UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which mandates that only Lebanese state forces can carry weapons south of the Litani. Israel has long argued that this provision was not enforced, citing Hezbollah’s continued presence at the border, while Lebanon has accused Israel of breaching the resolution through frequent airspace violations.

POSSIBLE CEASEFIRE DEAL

White House envoy Amos Hochstein, who has led multiple attempts to broker a ceasefire over the past year, recently told Axios that he believes “there is a shot” at achieving a truce soon. Khalil revealed that Lebanese negotiators had reached an understanding on a “certain text” with Hochstein during his last visit to Beirut, with the draft expected to be reviewed by Israel and returned with feedback soon.

Israel has indicated it wants the right to enforce the ceasefire if necessary, arguing that UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have not prevented Hezbollah from building up its forces there. Khalil countered, saying “no Lebanese … would accept Israel having freedom of movement in Lebanon.” However, he added that Lebanon would not oppose US or French involvement in monitoring ceasefire compliance.