Lebanon's L'Orient-Le Jour obtained a copy of the agreement (I have no reason to not believe its accuracy.) Based on their text, hezbollah has a point. In fact, it might be considered 1701-Minus.
Here's the full text:
• Hezbollah and all other armed groups present on Lebanese territory will refrain from conducting any offensive actions against Israel.• In return, Israel will not carry out any military offensive against targets in Lebanon, whether on land, in the air, or at sea.• Both Israel and Lebanon recognize the importance of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701.• These commitments do not waive Israel's and Lebanon's inherent right to self-defense.• The Lebanese security forces and the Lebanese Army will be the only entities authorized to carry weapons or deploy troops in southern Lebanon.• The sale, provision, or production of weapons and related material in Lebanon will be supervised by the Lebanese government.• All unauthorized facilities related to the production of weapons and related materials will be dismantled.• All non-compliant military infrastructure and positions will be dismantled, and all unauthorized weapons will be confiscated.• A committee approved by both Israel and Lebanon will be established to oversee and assist in the implementation of these commitments.• Israel and Lebanon will report any violations of these commitments to the committee and to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).• Lebanon will deploy official security forces and the Lebanese Army along all border crossing points and the defined line for the southern zone, as outlined in the deployment plan.• Israel will gradually withdraw from the southern zone of the Blue Line within a period of up to 60 days.• The United States will enhance indirect negotiations between Israel and Lebanon to achieve an internationally recognized delineation of the land border.
The major difference between this and 1701 is the committee to oversee the implementation of the other provisions. We do not know if this committee has any power.
On the other hand, 1701 called for Hezbollah to be entirely disarmed, not just south of the Litani:
On the other hand, 1701 called for Hezbollah to be entirely disarmed, not just south of the Litani:
full implementation of the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, and of resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1680 (2006), that require the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, so that, pursuant to the Lebanese cabinet decision of 27 July 2006, there will be no weapons or authority in Lebanon other than that of the Lebanese State;
That is a huge difference.
Another difference is that 1701 respected the Blue Line as the boundary between Israel and Lebanon; this agreement says that this is now negotiable, giving credence to Hezbollah's land claims.
With the United States’ full understanding, we maintain full freedom of military action. If Hezbollah violates the agreement and tries to arm itself, we will attack. If it tries to rebuild terrorist infrastructure near the border, we will attack. If it launches a rocket, if it digs a tunnel, if it brings in a truck carrying rockets, we will attack....They tell me Hezbollah will be quiet for a year or two, grow stronger and then attack us. But Hezbollah will be in violation of the agreement not only if it fires on us. It will be in violation of the agreement if it obtains weapons to fire at us in the future. And we will respond forcefully to any violation.
President Biden said it quite differently:
Biden said “If Hezbollah or anyone else breaks the deal and poses a direct threat to Israel, Israel retains the right to self-defense, consistent with international law — just like any country when facing a terrorist group pledged to that country’s destruction.”
Biden seems to be saying that Israel can attack but only under circumstances where international law allows it, in self-defense. Netanyahu is saying that any Hezbollah violation, even if it doesn't directly threaten Israel, is a reason to attack.
But I don't see that language in the published agreement. That omission makes Netanyahu's words appear false.
1701 failed because the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL didn't enforce it. I don't see how a committee whose only mandate is to report on violations will do any better. I also don't see where this agreement gives Israel the right to attack, say, Hezbollah digging a tunnel, at least not during the 60 days.
Maybe there is an additional memo that we have not seen. But so far, assuming the text of the agreement published is accurate, this does not look like nearly as good a deal as Netanyahu is making it appear.
|
Or order from your favorite bookseller, using ISBN 9798985708424. Read all about it here! |
|
