Biden’s declaration of a cease-fire in Lebanon falls flat as yet another hollow ‘achievement’
When the IDF launched an attack on Thursday against terrorists moving to launch another attack, the supposed Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire is already falling apart.
As with every Team Biden “success”, it’s far less than it seems and ultimately benefits Iran.
Hezbollah is not actually part of the accord; it’s a formal agreement between Israel and Lebanon, with Lebanon being considered ineffective. The deal envisioned both IDF and Hezbollah pulling out of Lebanon south of the Litani River, a move that was supposed to happen back in 2006 after the Israel-Hezbollah war with a UN resolution declaring a “permanent ceasefire” (1701).
Israel complied, but Hezbollah never did and instead fortified its position with terror tunnels larger than Hamas’ in Gaza. Since then, Hezbollah has launched sporadic attacks on Israel from south Lebanon, intensifying after Hamas’ terror invasion in October 2023.
The UN relied on the Lebanese government and UNIFIL peacekeeping force to enforce the 1701 resolution, but both have been ineffective at keeping peace in Lebanon for decades. Now, they are tasked with enforcing the Biden administration’s agreement.
Lebanon’s agreement with the cease-fire may involve some buy-in from Hezbollah, as Iran, Hezbollah’s main supporter, instructed the group to agree to the cease-fire before Biden’s intervention.
The IDF has been targeting Hezbollah assets and leaders, significantly weakening the group. Iran pushed for a cease-fire to protect its proxies, while Israel wanted to focus on securing the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Reports suggest that Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu was pressured by Biden’s administration to agree to the deal, threatening a halt in weapons shipments if he didn’t comply. Biden wants to leave office with a peace achievement to his name, potentially shifting blame for any future conflicts to the previous administration.
The focus seems to be on creating a favorable narrative rather than addressing the harsh realities on the ground, particularly Iran’s support for anti-Israel forces in the region. This approach reflects the current Democratic Party’s strategy, leading many to question their ability to handle such complex international issues.
