Israel prepares for possible military action to enforce UN resolution against Hezbollah
In a recent statement, Yoav Galant, the head of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, declared that Israel will be forced to move Hezbollah beyond the Litani River in Lebanon using military means if it isn't achievable diplomatically. He made this statement whilst meeting with various mayors and municipalities in northern Israel, following the evacuation of 80,000 residents from the area due to threats of bombardment.
3:44 AM EST, December 7, 2023
On Wednesday, Defense Minister Yoav Galant addressed mayors and municipalities in close proximity to the Lebanon border. Their inhabitants had been evacuated in October following Hezbollah's shelling from southern Lebanon. Galant clarified that these civilians would not be allowed to return home until Hezbollah's forces were pushed beyond the Litani River in Lebanon.
The UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which concluded the Second Lebanese War in 2006, expressly prohibits Hezbollah from maintaining a military presence south of the Litani River, which lies approximately 18.64 miles north of the Israel-Lebanon border. Despite this, Hezbollah has continually violated the resolution and routinely carries out attacks on Israel using rockets and drones.
Evacuation of 80,000 People
During an intense meeting in Nahariya, Galant suggested that the optimal resolution for Israel would be to reach a diplomatic agreement that enforces Resolution 1701. However, he also stated that if diplomatic proceedings failed, Israel would utilize "all available means", signalling possible military action to expel Hezbollah from the area.
Roughly 80,000 inhabitants of Israeli communities, which lie within 6.21 miles south of the Lebanon border, have been evacuated and are temporarily living in state-funded hotels and other establishments.
