U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye Thomas Barrack expressed a novel idea yesterday: that Israel should also comply with the ceasefire agreement it has signed in Lebanon. “There’s always a step-by-step approach, but I think the Lebanese government has done their part. They’ve taken the first step” in the decision on disarming Hezbollah, he said. “Now what we need is Israel to comply with that equal handshake,” Barrack told reporters in Lebanon after meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, reported Reuters. Barrack described the cabinet decree as a “Lebanese decision that requires Israel’s cooperation” and said the United States was “in the process of now discussing with Israel what their position is,” but provided no further details.
Under phase 1 of the plan, which was seen by Reuters, the Lebanese government would issue a decision committing to Hezbollah’s full disarmament by the end of the year, and Israel would cease military operations in Lebanese territory.
