Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Saturday evening the continuation of military operations in Lebanon and threatened further escalation in the coming period. Netanyahu affirmed in a recorded speech that Tel Aviv would not agree to enter into any negotiation process unless its conditions, which include the complete dismantling of Hezbollah's military capabilities, are met.
Netanyahu claimed that the Lebanese side had recently sought repeatedly to open direct communication channels with Israel, considering that this approach came as a result of the intense military pressure exerted by the occupation army. He clarified that he had set two basic conditions for approving these discussions: the disarmament of Hezbollah and the conclusion of a peace treaty that guarantees stability for future generations.
In a related context, the Lebanese presidency confirmed in an official statement that an agreement had been reached to hold the first direct meeting between delegations from Lebanon and Israel in the American capital, Washington, next Tuesday. This announcement sparked angry reactions from Hezbollah, which condemned the move and considered it a violation of national principles in light of the ongoing aggression.
On the ground, the widespread Israeli aggression on Lebanese territories continues to claim more lives, with statistics indicating 2020 martyrs and over 6400 injured since early March. Saturday alone witnessed the fall of 97 martyrs in a series of violent raids targeting various areas, reflecting the extent of the ongoing destruction.
Netanyahu touched upon the Iranian file in his speech, claiming that Tehran is going through an unprecedented phase of weakness and facing internal crises that threaten the regime's survival. He stressed that Israel would not allow hostile forces on its borders, pledging to work to prevent Iran from acquiring enriched uranium by all available means, including military option.
The Israeli Prime Minister praised the level of coordination with the American administration in confronting Iranian threats, describing the current partnership as unprecedented. He indicated that the direct involvement of the United States in fighting alongside Israel against Iranian targets represents a major strategic shift that was not expected a year ago.
Regarding international diplomatic efforts, the United States and Iran announced last Wednesday a temporary two-week truce mediated by Pakistan. This truce aims to pave the way for a comprehensive agreement that ends the state of war that erupted last February, which has left enormous human and material losses in the region.
Despite Islamabad's and Tehran's assurances that the de-escalation should include the Lebanese front, Washington and Tel Aviv denied any correlation between the two tracks. Israel translated this stance by launching raids described as the most violent since the start of the aggression, targeting various sites in Lebanon immediately after the announcement of the Iranian-American truce.
For its part, Hebrew media sources quoted security officials as issuing instructions to the army to reduce the pace of attacks in Lebanon in the coming days. This step, according to the sources, is an attempt to build trust before the Washington talks begin, despite Israel's insistence on not withdrawing from the areas it has controlled.
In contrast, political assessments in Tel Aviv indicate that Hezbollah may resort to escalating its military operations before the start of the Washington meeting to strengthen its negotiating position. Israeli circles expect the next 48 hours to witness a wave of intense rocket attacks targeting the depth and border settlements.
Indeed, Hezbollah announced the execution of 34 diverse military operations since dawn on Saturday, targeting gatherings of occupation soldiers, military vehicles, and strategic sites. The party affirmed in its statements that these operations come in response to the ongoing massacres against Lebanese civilians and in defense of national sovereignty in the face of Israeli encroachment.
The Lebanese scene remains suspended between the hammer of military escalation on the ground and the anvil of anticipated political negotiations in Washington. While Netanyahu insists on his difficult security and political conditions, the Israeli military machine continues its operations, leaving the region facing scenarios open to all possibilities during this week.
We will not agree to any negotiations except on the two conditions of disarming Hezbollah and reaching a peace agreement that endures for generations.
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Netanyahu sets impossible conditions for negotiations with Lebanon and threatens military escalation