Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs
Context
The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire is rooted in UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1701, which was initially established to manage the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah following the 2006 hostilities.
Key Components of UNSC Resolution 1701 and the Ceasefire
Significance
- Seeks to establish enduring peace and stability in the region.
- Offers a structured approach for international cooperation and conflict resolution.
Role of UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon)
- Deploys up to 15,000 peacekeepers to oversee the ceasefire and support the Lebanese Army.
- Facilitates the safe return of displaced individuals and secures a buffer zone.
Challenges
- Incomplete Implementation: Resolution 1701 has not been fully executed since 2006.
- Monitoring Issues: Ensuring compliance by Hezbollah and other militant factions is complex.
- Political Obstacles: Lebanese authorities face difficulty in exerting control over armed groups.
Key Provisions of the Ceasefire Agreement
- Cessation of Hostilities: Both Israel and Hezbollah must cease military operations within 60 days.
- Buffer Zone: The Lebanese Army will be the sole military force in South Lebanon, from the Blue Line to the Litani River.
- Hezbollah Withdrawal: Hezbollah is required to retreat at least 40 kilometers from the Israeli border.
- Israeli Withdrawal: Israeli forces must vacate Lebanese territory occupied since October 2023.
- Oversight Mechanism: Implementation will be monitored by the UN, the U.S., France, Israel, and Lebanon.
- Limited Disarmament: Hezbollah is not required to disarm completely north of the Litani River but is restricted from deploying armed personnel in the buffer zone.
- Arms Control: No weapons can be supplied to Lebanon without the approval of the Lebanese government.
- Landmine Maps: Israel must provide maps of landmines planted in Lebanon.
- Monitoring: UN peacekeepers, the Lebanese military, and a multinational committee will oversee compliance.
- Right to Retaliate: Israel retains the right to respond if the ceasefire is violated.
Reasons for Israel’s Agreement
- Strategic Reorientation: Shift focus to addressing threats from Iran.
- Resource Management: Allow time to replenish military resources and ease the burden on Israeli forces.
- Front Separation: Reduce tension on the Hezbollah front to concentrate on Gaza and Hamas.
Implications of the Ceasefire
- Renewal of Buffer Zone: Control in South Lebanon returns to the Lebanese Army, resembling the 2006 arrangement.
- Western Oversight: The U.S. and France join monitoring efforts, promoting stability without direct military involvement.
- Hezbollah’s Influence: Despite military challenges, Hezbollah maintains its socio-political presence in Lebanon.
- Regional Shifts: Iran supports a U.S. presence in South Lebanon, enhancing its regional strategy.
- Diplomatic Adjustments: Iran strengthens relations with Arab neighbors and signals a willingness to engage with Western nations.
- Israeli Military Strategy: Redirects military focus toward Hamas and Iranian-backed groups in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
- Warning to Syria: Israel cautions President Bashar al-Assad against taking provocative actions.
Challenges and Limitations
- Civil-Military Tensions: Disagreements within Israel’s leadership and military affect strategic coherence.
- Prolonged Conflict Risk: Hostilities with Hezbollah may persist despite Israel’s tactical advantages.
- Strengthened Hezbollah: An extended Israeli presence could increase Hezbollah’s domestic support.
- Historical Precedent: Ceasefires often fail to resolve underlying conflicts, leading to renewed violence.
- Ongoing Threats: Continued tensions between Israel and Iran-backed groups contribute to regional instability.
- Humanitarian Crisis: The situation in Lebanon and Gaza remains dire, with ongoing casualties and destruction.
Proposed Solutions
- Enhanced Oversight: Strengthen international monitoring mechanisms to ensure adherence to the agreement.
- Expand UNIFIL’s Mandate: Increase peacekeeping capacity for more effective enforcement.
- Political Engagement: Facilitate negotiations involving regional stakeholders to achieve a lasting peace.
- Humanitarian Focus: Provide aid and prioritize the reconstruction of war-affected areas.
Q.”Examine the role of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1701 in maintaining peace between Israel and Lebanon since 2006. What are the key challenges and limitations in its implementation?”
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