Beirut – US Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, stated Friday that Israel will not achieve its objectives by attempting to militarily crush Hezbollah. Barrack, speaking to Bloomberg, argued that killing one alleged terrorist would only create ten more, rendering such an approach ineffective.
He emphasized that the time has come for dialogue between Lebanon and Israel to resolve the tense situation. Barrack believes direct communication is crucial to de-escalate the ongoing conflict.
Meanwhile, US Central Command chief Brad Cooper asserted that it is in the United States’ interest, along with its regional partners, to disarm Hezbollah and maintain peace in the region. This reflects a long-standing US policy aimed at stabilizing the area.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun acknowledged on Thursday that the initial round of talks between Lebanon and Israel, led by civilian representatives, was “positive” and should be built upon to “avert the specter of a second war” following last year’s conflict. His comments came amidst heightened tensions.
President Aoun’s statement followed Israeli airstrikes on towns in southern Lebanon, after evacuation warnings were issued to residents. Israel claimed the strikes targeted Hezbollah installations, continuing its operations despite a ceasefire agreement in place since last year.
Amid growing concerns of a significant Israeli escalation, Lebanese and Israeli civilian delegates participated in a meeting of the committee tasked with monitoring the ceasefire at the UNIFIL headquarters in southern Lebanon on Wednesday. This marked the first direct talks between the two countries in decades.
Israel has reportedly committed numerous violations of the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, resulting in the deaths and injuries of hundreds of Lebanese citizens, as well as significant material damage. The original ceasefire was intended to end an Israeli offensive against Lebanon in October 2023, which escalated into a full-scale war in September 2024, resulting in over 4,000 deaths and more than 17,000 injuries.
Israel continues to occupy five Lebanese hills in the south, seized during the last war, in defiance of the agreement, in addition to other Lebanese territories it has occupied for decades. The ongoing occupation remains a point of contention.
