The text of the 10-day ceasefire agreement Israel agreed to in Lebanon allows the IDF to carry out strikes against “planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks,” but bars “offensive” operations against any Lebanese target.
“Israel shall preserve its right to take all necessary measures in self-defense, at any time, against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks. This shall not be impeded by the cessation of hostilities,” reads the text of the agreement released by the US State Department, which says the document was approved by Israel and Lebanon.
“Besides this, [Israel] will not carry out any offensive military operations against Lebanese targets, including civilian, military and other state targets, in the territory of Lebanon by land, air and sea,” the agreement says.
The agreement says that the initial 10-day ceasefire can be extended by mutual agreement if progress is made during subsequent negotiations between the sides and “as Lebanon effectively demonstrates its ability to assert its sovereignty.”
The text also states that Lebanon will take “meaningful steps” to prevent Hezbollah and other non-state armed groups from carrying out attacks on Israel once the 10-day truce is in place.
Israel and Lebanon have requested that the US facilitate further direct talks between their countries “with the objective of resolving all remaining issues, including demarcation of the international land boundary, with a view to concluding a comprehensive agreement that ensures lasting security, stability and peace between the two countries,” the text states.
The memorandum of understanding also says that the sides “will work to create conditions conducive to lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and establishing genuine security along their shared border, while preserving Israel’s inherent right to self-defense.”
The MOU says both countries recognize the significant threat non-state armed actors, such as Hezbollah, pose to Lebanon’s sovereignty and regional stability.
Israel and Lebanon also recognize that armed non-state actors must therefore be curtailed so that the Lebanese security forces are the only ones in the country allowed to bear arms.
“Israel and Lebanon affirm that the two countries are not at war and commit to engaging in good-faith direct negotiations, facilitated by the United States, with the objective of achieving a comprehensive agreement that ensures lasting security, stability, and peace between the two countries,” the MOU says.
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