The fifth round of talks between Israel and Lebanon opened yesterday in Washington. According to The Jerusalem Post, the primary topic of discussion was the creation of pilot areas within the security zones established by the IDF in southern Lebanon. These areas would allow the IDF to withdraw while the Lebanese army steps in to disarm Hezbollah—an effort that has largely stalled since the war began. Meanwhile, IDF soldiers have continued operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, including the reported sealing of an underground terror complex in Tebnit.
Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter expressed grave concern over Iran’s continued influence in Lebanon and the question of whether Hezbollah will be dismantled and removed from the country, following the talks in Switzerland.
“This is the fifth round of talks, and I must say, we are heading toward a train wreck… that train is in danger of derailing,” the ambassador said at the onset of the talks.
“We agreed to a ceasefire on the condition that Hezbollah withdraw northward. Is that agreement still binding?”
Leiter expressed concern that Hezbollah could be given “a new lease on life” if increased funding flows to Iran under the Memorandum of Understanding, warning that such resources could be diverted to the group and used to sustain its terrorist campaign against Israel.
Israel has also raised the issue of the remains of IAF navigator Ron Arad, who went missing on October 16, 1986, after his aircraft crashed in southern Lebanon. Reports indicate that Arad died after two years in captivity. Over the years, his remains have reportedly been used as a bargaining chip in efforts to secure the release of Lebanese prisoners held by Israel following the 1982 war. Arad was 28 years old when he went missing.
The Jerusalem Post also reported that the IDF succeeded in cornering Hezbollah terrorists inside a tunnel network in the village of Tebnit. After the main exit was sealed, the terrorists surrendered. The IDF further reported concerns among troops in the area that Hezbollah may be planning kidnapping attacks to gain leverage in ongoing negotiations. Lebanon, however, has characterized Israeli actions against the terror group as violations of the ceasefire agreement.
The Fellowship and our supporters continue to pray for the men and women defending northern Israel and for a lasting resolution to the threat posed by Hezbollah.
