U.S. Proposes Ceasefire Deal as Lebanon Seeks Iran’s Support

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U.S. Proposes Ceasefire Deal as Lebanon Seeks Iran’s Support \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, has called on Iran to assist in securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, as a U.S.-brokered proposal is reviewed. Talks center on implementing U.N. Resolution 1701, which would require Hezbollah’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon. The conflict has intensified, with Israeli strikes killing over 3,400 people in Lebanon.

Lebanon-Israel Conflict: Quick Looks

Ceasefire Talks: U.S. draft proposal passed to Hezbollah for review.
Lebanese Leadership’s Request: Mikati urges Iran to help implement U.N. Resolution 1701.
Resolution 1701: Calls for Hezbollah’s withdrawal and exclusive control by the Lebanese army and U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.
Escalating Violence: Over 3,400 killed in Lebanon amid heightened Israeli bombardment.
Civilian Casualties: Strikes target Hezbollah-linked sites but also hit civilian areas and rescue workers.
Iran’s Role: Iranian envoy Ali Larijani voices support for Lebanon’s government and people.

Deep Look

Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, urged Iran on Friday to facilitate a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah as efforts to end the escalating conflict take center stage. The call came during a visit by Ali Larijani, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who arrived in Lebanon for discussions amid continued violence.

A U.S.-Backed Proposal for Ceasefire

Mikati’s appeal coincided with the transmission of a U.S.-proposed ceasefire agreement to Hezbollah through Lebanese parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri. The draft, which draws heavily from U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, seeks to end 13 months of hostilities that have left southern Lebanon in turmoil.

Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, mandates that only the Lebanese army and U.N. peacekeepers operate in southern Lebanon, effectively barring Hezbollah’s armed presence there. However, the resolution has remained unenforced, with both Lebanon and Israel accusing each other of violations.

Iran’s Influence on Hezbollah

Iran’s longstanding support for Hezbollah makes its involvement critical in any ceasefire negotiations. For decades, Iran has provided financial and military backing to Hezbollah, bolstering its role as a dominant force in Lebanese politics. Since the outbreak of the current Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah has launched near-daily rocket attacks on northern Israel, drawing severe retaliatory strikes.

Lebanon’s government, led by Mikati, hopes Tehran can influence Hezbollah to agree to the terms of a ceasefire and pull back from the Israeli border. In talks with Larijani, Mikati emphasized Lebanon’s commitment to implementing Resolution 1701 “in all its details” to restore peace and uphold national unity.

Intensified Violence and Civilian Impact

The conflict has devastated Lebanon, with the Health Ministry reporting over 3,400 deaths from Israeli strikes, 80% of which occurred in the past month alone. On Friday, Israeli airstrikes targeted homes in southern Lebanon’s Nabatiyeh province, killing an entire family, including three children. Additional strikes in Tyre province resulted in six fatalities and 32 injuries.

In the capital, Beirut, Israeli forces bombarded southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, with multiple air raids, destroying buildings and triggering explosions. Earlier in the day, a strike in the Tayouneh neighborhood caused extensive damage to an 11-story residential building, leaving parts of the structure in rubble.

A separate Israeli attack in Baalbek targeted a civil defense center, killing 14 workers and volunteers. Lebanon’s civil defense forces, which are unaffiliated with Hezbollah, provide essential rescue and medical services in the war-torn nation. Israel has yet to comment on why the center was targeted.

Iran’s Stance

After meeting with Mikati and Berri, Larijani reaffirmed Iran’s support for Lebanon. He stated that his visit aimed “to loudly say that we will stand by Lebanon’s government and people.” Addressing the ceasefire negotiations, Larijani denied any intention to disrupt U.S.-led mediation efforts, emphasizing Iran’s commitment to solving the crisis.

Iran’s backing of Hezbollah has been a double-edged sword for Lebanon. While providing military strength, it has also entrenched Hezbollah as a political powerhouse, contributing to a decade-long domination of Lebanese politics. In recent weeks, Mikati has become increasingly critical of Iran’s influence, calling for a balanced approach to national unity.

The Broader Context of Conflict

The Israel-Hezbollah clashes are an extension of the broader Israel-Hamas war that began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting 250 others. Israel’s response has been fierce, with heavy bombardment and ground offensives in Gaza, which have killed over 43,000 people, according to Palestinian health officials.

The U.N. Security Council’s 10 elected members have circulated a draft resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. However, the U.S., a staunch ally of Israel, holds significant sway over whether the resolution will be adopted.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

In Gaza, the violence has caused widespread devastation. On Thursday, Israeli airstrikes in Deir al-Balah killed 11 Palestinians, including two children. Similar scenes of grief unfolded in Lebanon, where funerals were held for victims of recent Israeli strikes. The mounting death toll and destruction underscore the urgent need for a resolution to the conflict.

What Lies Ahead?

The implementation of U.N. Resolution 1701 could pave the way for a de-escalation in Lebanon, but its enforcement remains a significant challenge. Israel has expressed demands for security guarantees, while Hezbollah’s response to the U.S. proposal is still pending.

Iran’s role will be pivotal, given its influence over Hezbollah and its broader regional ambitions. Whether Tehran will pressure Hezbollah to compromise or reinforce its hardline stance remains uncertain.

For Lebanon, achieving peace is critical not only to end the bloodshed but also to restore stability to a nation already grappling with economic and political crises. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether diplomacy can succeed in curbing the violence that has engulfed the region.