Netanyahu: Agreement with Hezbollah Conditional on Border Security and Elimination of Threats from Lebanon

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, emphasized during a meeting with senior American officials in Jerusalem that any agreement between Israel and Hezbollah can only occur if Lebanon's security threats are eliminated and the safety of residents in northern Israel's border areas is guaranteed. In a statement released by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office on Thursday, November 1, Netanyahu mentioned that the conditions for an agreement with Hezbollah include ensuring the safe return of residents in northern Israel to their homes. This recent meeting is part of intensive U.S. efforts to establish a ceasefire and end the 13-month war between northern Israel and southern Lebanon. Israel has been engaged with Hezbollah, the main proxy arm of the Islamic Republic, along its northern borders. Following the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah unilaterally began its rocket and drone attacks on northern Israel. In response, Israel has conducted severe attacks against this group's positions in Lebanon and Syria, killing hundreds of members of this Iran-backed group, including leaders and senior military commanders such as Hassan Nasrallah, Foad Shakir, Ibrahim Aqil, and Hashem Safi al-Din. Earlier, Reuters reported that several senior U.S. officials, including William Burns, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Brett McGurk, the White House Coordinator for Middle East Affairs, and Amos Hochstein, the U.S. Special Envoy, would travel to Egypt and Israel on Thursday to reduce tensions in the region and consult on matters related to the Islamic Republic, Lebanon, and the release of hostages held by Hamas. The CIA Director had also discussed a new ceasefire plan in Gaza and the release of hostages during a meeting with his Israeli and Qatari counterparts on Sunday, October 29. Axios reported, citing three Israeli officials, that this plan includes a 28-day halt in hostilities, during which Hamas would release about eight hostages, and Israel would release dozens of Palestinian prisoners. William Burns also met with Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the Prime Minister of Qatar, and David Barnea, the head of Mossad, in Doha, the capital of Qatar. An Israeli official told Axios that 'Israel agrees to a temporary ceasefire, but Hamas needs an agreement that can lead to irreversible steps by Israel. If neither side softens its position, no agreement will be reached.' According to Axios's analysis, a partial agreement could break the two-month stalemate in ceasefire negotiations, facilitate discussions for a more comprehensive agreement, improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza, and release some of the hostages held in Gaza. Another aspect of a partial agreement is that achieving a deal before the U.S. presidential elections is unlikely, and both Israel and Hamas will likely adjust their positions based on the election results. Since the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, by Palestinian militants against Israel, which resulted in at least 1,200 deaths, including women, children, and the elderly, and over 250 others, mostly civilians, being taken hostage, Israel has been engaged in battles on several fronts with the Islamic Republic and its proxy forces. There are still 101 hostages kidnapped by Hamas and other Palestinian militants in Gaza, with estimates suggesting that at least one-third of them have lost their lives. Hamas is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Israel, Canada, Japan, and several other countries. Several countries, including the United States, Israel, Germany, Serbia, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, and Australia, have recognized Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. Recognizing Hezbollah as a terrorist organization means not distinguishing between its political and military branches and labeling both as terrorist entities. The Gaza ceasefire is pending Hamas's decision; Israel says negotiations are focused on a new plan. A Hamas official expressed willingness to resume talks with Israel: 'There is a possibility of an agreement.' Ceasefire negotiations in Gaza have resumed; Israel welcomed this, and Hamas announced it is ready to stop the war. The U.S. Secretary of State had phone calls with his counterparts in Qatar and Saudi Arabia; Gaza and Lebanon were the focus of discussions.