‘We Are Focusing on Being Ready for War in the North’

February 15, 2024

by: Lior Ben Ari and Yoav Zitun ~ Ynetnews

Thursday, 15 February 2024 | The escalation in the north on Wednesday, which culminated with the rocket barrage on the Northern Command base in Safed that claimed the life of Staff Sergeant Omer Sarah Benjo and injured eight others, comes a day after reports of progress in negotiations to end the war in the north.

Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy issued a threat and told the commanders at the Lebanese border: “We are focusing on being ready for war in the north.”

In response to the barrage, the chief of staff and the commander of the Northern Command approved a series of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah.

The peak of the wave of attacks in southern Lebanon came this evening with the reports of four deaths in a significant Israeli attack. The Qatari newspaper Al-Arabi Al-Jadid reported on injuries and extensive damage in an attack on a house, stating that institutions in the town have been closed following the attacks in the area.

Later, the Lebanese Al-Akhbar newspaper reported that four people were killed in the attack, including a mother and her daughter. A security source in Lebanon told the Saudi newspaper that the house that was attacked belongs to a family that has no connection to Hezbollah.

In an unusual move, Hezbollah did not claim responsibility for the attack on Israel, but they did announce the deaths of three of their members. The organization has reported a total of 196 deaths among its members since the beginning of the war.

In Israel, efforts are being made with the help of various mediators to fully implement Resolution 1701. This resolution called for the deployment of UNIFIL [United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon] and Lebanese army forces in the southern area of Lebanon, south of the Litani River. However, it is uncertain whether this implementation will resolve all the disputes between Israel, Lebanon and Hezbollah.

Thirteen Points of Contention

There are disagreements between the countries regarding certain points within the resolution that could affect attempts to regulate the northern border.

It is important to remember the decision passed by the UN Security Council in 2006 effectively ended the Second Lebanon War between Israel and Hezbollah. According to this decision, Hezbollah was expected to withdraw to north of the Litani River.

Lebanon contends there are 13 different points along the Blue Line, the current Israel–Lebanon border, perceived by Beirut as sovereign Lebanese territory that Israel is currently holding.  Those 13 points are all along the border, from the Rosh Hanikra lookout and eastward, all the way to the area between the Israeli town of Metula and the Lebanese village of Al-Wazzani.

One of the main points the US will surely reference is the Land Terminus point, known as B1. This border point marks the final land connection between Israel and Lebanon in the western sector along the Mediterranean Sea. Lebanon seeks Israel’s withdrawal from this strategically significant area, as it holds both geographical and military importance. Moreover, this point also determines the maritime border between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah has made statements emphasizing that the Lebanese front stands in solidarity with Gaza and that dialogue will not take place until attacks in the Strip cease. Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah addressed Resolution 1701 in his recent speech, stating, “The enemy [Israel] is not in a position to dictate terms to Lebanon. They are weak and in crisis. We urge the Lebanese side to establish additional conditions while implementing Resolution 1701. Lebanon holds a position of strength and can set the terms.”

Posted on February 15, 2024

Source: (Excerpt of an article originally published by Ynetnews on February 15, 2024. Time-related language has been modified to reflect our republication today. See original article at this link.)

Photo Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit photographer/Wikimedia.org

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