The U.S. Sets a 'Red Line' for Hezbollah: We Are Not Afraid of Them

Morgan Ortagus, the U.S. Deputy Envoy for Middle Eastern Affairs, said on Friday that the United States has established a 'red line' that Hezbollah should not be part of the new Lebanese government. Ortagus is the first senior U.S. official to visit Lebanon after Donald Trump's return to the White House and the election of Joseph Aoun as President of Lebanon. Ortagus's visit comes amid the ongoing deadlock over the formation of a cabinet. The Amal Movement, an ally of Hezbollah, insists that the qualifications of all Shia ministers must be confirmed, which has kept the government formation process at an impasse. This senior American diplomat told reporters after meeting with Joseph Aoun that he is not afraid of Hezbollah because, according to him, this Iran-backed group has been militarily defeated. He added, 'We have set clear red lines that they [Hezbollah] will not be able to intimidate the people of Lebanon, and this includes their participation in the government.' Ortagus further stated that by February 30, Lebanese army soldiers will be stationed in the southern regions of the country, and that 'we are very committed to this definitive date.' The U.S. Deputy Envoy for Middle Eastern Affairs will continue his visit to Lebanon by meeting with Nawaf Salam and Nabih Berri, the Prime Minister and Speaker of Parliament, respectively, and afterward will visit the southern regions with the Lebanese army. Hezbollah and its Shia ally Amal, led by Nabih Berri, hold a significant number of seats in the country's 128-member parliament. Following the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7 last year, Hezbollah unilaterally began its rocket and drone attacks on northern Israel. In response, Israel has launched severe attacks against this group's positions in Lebanon and Syria, killing hundreds of members of this major proxy arm of the Islamic Republic in the region, including its leader and senior military commanders, such as Hassan Nasrallah, Fouad Shukr, Ibrahim Aqil, and Hashem Safi al-Din. The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, mediated by the U.S. and France, came into effect on December 7. This agreement requires the dismantling of Hezbollah's weapons and infrastructure, the withdrawal of the Iran-backed militants from southern Lebanon, the deployment of Lebanese military units, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the area within 60 days, that is, by February 7. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on February 5 that Lebanon has not yet 'fully implemented' its commitments under the agreement, and the phased withdrawal process of Israeli military forces from southern Lebanon will continue 'in full coordination with the United States.' Hezbollah's rocket and drone attacks on Israel have displaced over 60,000 residents of northern Israel and resulted in the deaths of dozens of its citizens. Israeli officials have repeatedly emphasized that the country will exert all its efforts to secure its northern borders and facilitate the return of displaced civilians to their homes. Trump and Netanyahu discuss 'ways to counter the Iranian regime.' Katz: If Hezbollah launches a drone, it will be destroyed. Israel: The Iranian regime sends financial aid to Hezbollah. Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon. Hezbollah handed over the underground missile facility 'Imad 4' to the Lebanese army. Times: A Lebanese army commander leaked military secrets to Hezbollah. At least 15 killed in clashes between the Israeli army and protesters in southern Lebanon. Israel on the verge of ending the ceasefire: Residents of southern Lebanon should not return to the area. The U.S. emphasized the necessity of extending the ceasefire in Lebanon.