Lebanon’s Prime Minister Visits War-Torn Village Amid Diplomatic Efforts
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has visited the war-torn village of Zawtar Al Gharbieh, a move that comes as a Lebanese-Israeli agreement brokered by Washington appears to be taking shape following a monthslong war.
The agreement, which was signed in late June, calls for the Lebanese military to deploy in areas in southern Lebanon where Hezbollah had a military presence and influence, and for Israeli troops to withdraw from the region.
As part of the agreement, both sides have agreed to establish a pilot zone made up of a series of villages to test the implementation of the agreement. While Israeli troops have struck and conducted ground operations in those towns and villages, none of them are under their occupation, but the Lebanese army has also not been present in large numbers.
The latest war between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group started on March 2, after the group fired rockets towards Israel in solidarity with war-torn Iran, its main backer. In response, Israel launched an aerial campaign and ground invasion in Lebanon, killing more than 4,000 people and displacing 1.2 million others.
Lebanon’s top political leadership has criticized Hezbollah for dragging the country into another war, but also condemned Israel for its widespread bombing and ground invasion.
Salam, alongside Lebanon’s defense minister and senior military officials, pitched a Lebanese flag near a destroyed building in the town, vowing the government will start rebuilding destroyed homes and infrastructure.
“We have insisted since the beginning that our goal is the complete Israeli withdrawal from all our territory,” Salam said. “What we are seeing today is just the beginning, but we remain determined and steadfast, and will continue to mobilize all political and diplomatic efforts to secure a full withdrawal from all of Lebanese territory.”
Hezbollah has condemned the government for holding direct talks with Israel and rejected the agreement, but the militant group has not tried to sabotage it through military means. Its leadership believes Israel cannot be pressured to withdraw its troops by diplomatic means only, and that Lebanon lacks the leverage of its key ally Iran in negotiations.
US President Donald Trump, in his meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, did not speak much about the pilot zone going into its implementation phase, but pledged to support Lebanon without going into details.
Aoun and the Lebanese government have urged the international community to invest in the tiny country and its army to help rebuild its infrastructure and military capacity.
The visit comes as Lebanon’s top leadership continues to push for a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the country’s territory. The government has also urged the international community to support Lebanon’s efforts to rebuild its infrastructure and military capacity.
In related news, the US has launched new strikes on Iranian targets, and a US service member was killed in action in a separate incident.
Background on the Conflict
The latest war between Israel and Hezbollah started on March 2, after the group fired rockets towards Israel in solidarity with war-torn Iran, its main backer. In response, Israel launched an aerial campaign and ground invasion in Lebanon, killing more than 4,000 people and displacing 1.2 million others.
Lebanon’s top political leadership has criticized Hezbollah for dragging the country into another war, but also condemned Israel for its widespread bombing and ground invasion.
The conflict has had a devastating impact on the people of Lebanon, with many left without homes or access to basic necessities. The government has urged the international community to support Lebanon’s efforts to rebuild its infrastructure and military capacity.
International Response
The international community has been closely following the developments in Lebanon, with many countries expressing concern over the humanitarian crisis in the country.
The US has pledged to support Lebanon, with US President Donald Trump meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to discuss the situation.
Aoun and the Lebanese government have urged the international community to invest in the tiny country and its army to help rebuild its infrastructure and military capacity.
Hezbollah has condemned the government for holding direct talks with Israel and rejected the agreement, but the militant group has not tried to sabotage it through military means.
Its leadership believes Israel cannot be pressured to withdraw its troops by diplomatic means only, and that Lebanon lacks the leverage of its key ally Iran in negotiations.
