Lebanon’s parliament speaker warned on Tuesday that Israeli forces occupying parts of the country's south would face resistance if they fail to withdraw, signalling a risk of renewed confrontation ahead of U.S.-mediated talks this week. The warning comes as a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah, mediated by Washington, has largely held since last Thursday.
Key Takeaways
Lebanon's parliament speaker warned that Israeli forces occupying parts of southern Lebanon would face resistance if they fail to withdraw. The warning comes ahead of U.S.-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon this week. A 10-day ceasefire, mediated by Washington, has largely held since last Thursday.
Israeli forces remain deployed in a belt of Lebanese land 5-10 km deep along the entire border. Israel aims to create a buffer zone to shield northern Israel from attacks by Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Shi'ite Muslim group. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri told Lebanese newspaper al-Joumhouria that Lebanon could not tolerate losing any land.
If Israel 'maintains its occupation, whether of areas, positions, or by drawing yellow lines, it will smell the scent of resistance every day,' said Berri. The Israeli military and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have referred to Israel's deployment line in Lebanon as the 'Yellow Line.' Israeli officials have since refrained from describing it in those terms, instead calling it a 'forward defense line.'
The U.S. will host ambassador-level talks between Israel and Lebanon on Thursday. The conflict has complicated Pakistan's efforts to mediate between the U.S. and Iran. President Donald Trump announced the Lebanon ceasefire on April 16 after holding separate phone calls with Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
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