Ceasefire Implemented in Southern Lebanon Amid Ongoing Peace Efforts
Ceasefire Announcement in Southern Lebanon
New Delhi. Recent peace initiatives in the Middle East have gained momentum as Israeli media reported that a ceasefire has been established in southern Lebanon starting Thursday. This ceasefire is set to last for ten days, although Hezbollah has not provided any assurances regarding its adherence.
Prior to this, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had declined to engage in direct talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concerning the ceasefire. This marked a significant moment as it was the first direct communication between the two nations in 34 years, which was also highlighted in a post by former U.S. President Donald Trump on his social media platform.
Later, Aoun did manage to speak with Trump. Meanwhile, both Pakistan and Iran emphasized that peace in Lebanon is essential before any dialogue with the U.S. can take place. Additionally, preparations for a potential second round of talks between the U.S. and Iran have intensified.
However, discussions regarding nuclear enrichment remain complicated. On Thursday, Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, met with senior Iranian officials in Tehran. The White House has stated that no date has been set for talks with Iran.
Ceasefire Between Israel and Lebanon
According to reports, the high-level peace talks between Israel and Lebanon concluded before they could even commence. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to converse with President Aoun on Thursday. However, Aoun made it clear during a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that no discussions would occur until a ceasefire with Hezbollah is established.
A Lebanese official noted that Rubio acknowledged Aoun's position. It is important to mention that the U.S. has not publicly endorsed the ceasefire as a precondition for support, and the Israeli government has framed the potential meeting as a peace dialogue focused on disarming Hezbollah. Earlier this week, ambassador-level discussions took place in Washington, but Hezbollah opposed these talks.
Israel has firmly stated that it is not in favor of ending the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, which has resulted in over 2,196 fatalities and displaced more than 1.2 million individuals. Furthermore, the Israeli military has destroyed the last bridge over the Litani River in Lebanon, which connected southern Lebanon to the rest of the country, claiming to have obliterated 70 Hezbollah terrorist sites in just one minute. Hezbollah, in turn, has claimed attacks on 39 military bases within 24 hours.
China's Appeal to Iran
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi to resume navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized that keeping this vital maritime route open is in the interest of all nations. Wang Yi also stated that while Iran's sovereignty and security in Hormuz must be respected, it is equally important to ensure the safe and free passage of vessels through this route. He reiterated China's support for maintaining the ceasefire and resuming dialogue.