Middle East conflict - Search for a political solution to the Lebanon conflict
During the USA's efforts to explore ways to avoid a war between Israel and the pro-Iranian Hisbollah militia in Lebanon, the mutual shooting between the parties continues for now. In response to renewed attacks on territories in northern Israel, the Israeli Air Force attacked positions of Hisbollah in southern Lebanon, as the Israeli army announced late on Friday evening.
It is anticipated that a potential war could expand into a regional conflict, involving the USA and Iran. The Iranian UN representation in New York warned on Saturday morning on the platform X, if Israel initiates a comprehensive military aggression against Lebanon, "it will lead to a devastating war."
Israel's Defense Minister: We are not for war
Israel, according to Defense Minister Joav Galant, does not want war, but sees its army prepared. "We are working on a political solution. That's always better," Galant said on Friday during a troop visit near Israel's border with Lebanon, as reported by Israeli media. "We are not for war, but we are prepared." If the Hisbollah chooses war, "we know what we do," Galant added. "If they choose peace, we will respond accordingly." The Shia militia in Lebanon declared again and again that Israel must first completely end the war in the Gaza Strip against the Hamas, which is allied with the Hisbollah, before it stops attacking Israel. The Hisbollah and Hamas are allies of Iran.
All options, "including the full participation of all (anti-Israeli) resistance fronts," were mentioned in the warning of the Iranian UN representation for a war. On Saturday, the first results of the presidential election in the country are expected. The election of a successor for the recently deceased President Ebrahim Raisi is taking place against the backdrop of a severe economic crisis, tensions with the West, frustration over power and government, and the conflict in Lebanon between the arch-enemy Israel and the pro-Iranian Hisbollah.
Report: USA exploring political solution options
The USA still sees a ceasefire in the Gaza War as an important step towards resolving the crisis in Lebanon, reported the "Washington Post" on Friday (local time). At the same time, officials have begun to explore alternatives for de-escalation. The US government has presented new formulations for parts of a proposed agreement in the Gaza War in recent days to bridge the gaps between Israel and Hamas and achieve an agreement, reported the US news portal "Axios" on Saturday morning, citing three informed sources. The changes were based on a plan for an agreement presented by US President Biden in a speech in the previous month.
The three-phased plan initially calls for a temporary ceasefire during which some of the Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip are expected to be released. In a second phase, the fighting would then be permanently halted and the remaining hostages would be allowed to leave freely. In a final phase, the rebuilding of Gaza is set to begin. According to US reports, only Hamas has not yet agreed to the plan. The rephrased sections concern the passage in the agreement regarding negotiations for a "sustainable" ceasefire in the second phase, according to Axios. It is hoped that Hamas will eventually agree.
At the same time, US officials have begun exploring alternatives for de-escalating the conflict in Lebanon, the Washington Post reported. Israel has reportedly been pressured to not be the party escalating the conflict in Lebanon. In drafts for an agreement, the Hezbollah is being asked to withdraw heavy weapons from the border with Israel, while in return, funds for rebuilding in Lebanon are being offered, according to Libanese and European officials. The Hezbollah militia has continued to negotiate with Washington through Lebanese intermediaries despite ongoing fighting in the Gaza Strip.
Qatar to help
Likewise, Qatar, which functions as a mediator between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza War, has been asked by the United States to assist in resolving the conflict in Lebanon, the US newspaper quoted a person familiar with the efforts. Since the beginning of the Gaza War nearly nine months ago, there have been daily gun battles between Israel's army and Hezbollah along the border between Israel and Lebanon. On Friday, the militia fired 25 shots and three drones at Israel, according to the Israeli military. No one was injured. The Israeli army reportedly retaliated by targeting several Hezbollah firing positions.
Several countries, including Germany, have once again called on their citizens to leave Lebanon. The US, however, is reportedly not currently preparing an evacuation of its citizens from Lebanon, but has this week deployed an additional US warship, the USS Wasp, to the region. Ships of this type are not only used for militarily supported evacuations, but also to ensure stability and deter aggression, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said on Friday. "They are in the region to maintain stability and prevent aggression," she said, adding that she could not confirm whether the deployment of the ship was related to the preparation for a possible evacuation of American citizens, as reported by the US network NBC earlier.
Pentagon: Gaza Pier to be towed back to Israel
Meanwhile, the provisional pier built by the US military on the coast of the contested Gaza Strip has been dismantled again due to rough seas. The pier will be towed to Ashdod on the Israeli coast, Singh said. She did not provide a timeline for when the pier could be operational again - it depends on the circumstances. "We will continue to monitor the environmental and weather factors," the spokeswoman said and promised to provide updates on the situation.
The Pier was previously taken to Ashdod due to rough sea conditions to prevent structural damages. Due to high waves and stormy sea, the provisional facility was damaged shortly after its commissioning in May. The Israeli city of Ashdod is about 30 kilometers away from Gaza. There have always been issues with the distribution of relief supplies. According to Singh, there are still undistributed relief supplies in the Pier area. There is indeed still space, but the area is "nearly full". Discussions are being held with the World Food Program (WFP) to coordinate further actions, the deputy spokesperson of the Pentagon shared.
- The Washington Post reported that the USA is exploring political solution options for the crisis in Lebanon, aiming for a ceasefire in the Gaza War as a key step.
- Israel's Defense Minister, Joav Galant, stated that Israel does not want war but is prepared, emphasizing their pursuit of a political solution instead.
- The Middle East conflict between Israel and the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in Lebanon continues to escalate, with mutual shooting between the parties.
- The Iranian UN representation in New York warned that if Israel initiates a comprehensive military aggression against Lebanon, it could lead to a devastating war.
- The Hisbollah has declared that Israel must first end the war in the Gaza Strip against Hamas, which is an ally of Hezbollah, before ceasing attacks on Israel.
- The Israeli Air Force responded to renewed attacks on territories in northern Israel by attacking positions of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
- Despite ongoing fighting in the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah has continued to negotiate with Washington through Lebanese intermediaries for a potential de-escalation.
- Qatar, acting as a mediator between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza War, has been asked by the USA to assist in resolving the conflict in Lebanon.
- The USS Wasp, a US warship, was deployed to the region to maintain stability and prevent aggression, but not for an evacuation of American citizens at present.
- The provisional pier built by the US military on the coast of the contested Gaza Strip has been dismantled again due to rough seas and will be towed to Ashdod on the Israeli coast for repairs.
- Sabrina Singh, the Pentagon spokeswoman, reported that relief supplies are still undistributed in the Pier area, despite some being nearly full, while discussions continue with the World Food Program (WFP) to coordinate further actions.
