Netanyahu: 'The Threat of a Land Invasion [from Lebanon] has been Removed' - Video, Ceasefire Text and Map
Speaking with Ch. 14 News, the PM averred that upwards of 100k evacuated northern residents would gradually see that it's safe to return home, "like in the south."
[This report will be updated as events dictate. Meanwhile, please feel free to share this post, subscribe, and help support my efforts to bring you accurate, sourced reporting, and close-up-and-personal slice-of-life scenes here in northern Israel and our Life on the Border - thank you for your consideration]:
“The Threat of a land invasion [from Lebanon] has been removed—removed,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted on Thursday in a teaser for a longer interview with Ch 14 News, to be aired later this evening:
Netanyahu asserted that the IDF had “removed” not only a massive amount of both Hezbollah’s personnel and weapons hidden and arrayed in a string of “flattened” villages and towns within about five kilometers of the border, but also tactical and strategic attack and ammo-laden tunnels and underground facilities, since the beginning of the ground incursion in late September.
”We’re operating as much as is necessary to not only convince our foes, but also our residents that the threat has been removed. And they’ll return, little by little, when they comprehend that what I’m saying is accurate,” Netanyahu told the interviewer, who asked, “Will they be convinced that there won’t be another ‘October 7th’? massacre and mass kidnapping scenario.
“I’m certain they’ll be convinced, but moreover, I want to tell you—I said something else: I gave the IDF a directive: in the event of a massive ceasefire violation, not only will we act in a pinpoint manner as we are now, and powerfully—every time. I said if there will be a massive violation of the agreement, I am instructing the IDF to prepare for a full-on war, utilizing all of the weaponry we’re amassing both from our own production and from others; we’re prepared for any scenario,” Netanyahu said.
As for the horrific night of Oct. 7th and Hezbollah’s feared invasion threat, here’s a snippet from my post from then; speaking as the local “Community Resilence Team” chief in our village and working in tandem with the Upper Galilee Regional Council, we’d been aware of and preparing for the national threat, but, despite the planning and preparations, the personal fears of the prospects that black night were, frankly terrifying:
”Update: 23:30 IST:
“A very dark night here: over 250 Israeli Jews slaughtered, upwards of 1,500 wounded by two-legged Iranian-backed monsters, and scores taken hostage - men, women, teens, children, infants, and the elderly, and dead and dying - within Gaza and in multiple hostage situations nearby within Israel.
“As of this update, massive IDF forces are en-route to Gaza. Meanwhile, the IDF Northern Command says the "Army is preparing for Hezbollah to join the war on Israel, forces in northern Israel are being significantly bolstered," since the Iranian-backed terror proxy declared today that any IDF ground attack in Gaza would entail their entering the fighting.
“Besides "thoughts and prayers" for our and our troops' well-being, sharing this post, telling family and friends about what's really going on - including your local congresscritter or gov'mint' rep', would really be useful at this moment.
“Thank you.
“Update: 20:00 IST:
“A truly massive barrage of rockets just now into central Israel, and the Tel-Aviv - Gush Dan area.
“I am writing this from our safe room in the Galilee and have been hearing jets and assorted aerial vehicles overhead since early this morning - which is rare for a Shabbat. It's just a note that the war Israel is fighting doesn't stop at the Gaza Periphery - but extends throughout the country. The Iranian-backed local proxy, Hezbollah, today, demanded UN so-called "Peacekeeping Forces" evacuate the area they patrol in Lebanon - about 15 km from where I'm typing this. That means they intend to join in the battle currently being waged in the south, including Hamas cells aiming at yours truly, along with family, friends, neighbors, and the rest of us.”
IDF Arabic-language warning flyer to Lebanese to not enter areas in red, and the noted towns and villages in a swath about five kilometers from the Israeli border, stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to the top of the Galilee Panhandle, and the Syrian border.
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar said today that Israel “…will not allow Hezbollah to advance south from the Litani River. We will not allow Hezbollah to rearm, build its power and pose a threat to Israel once again. We learned a lesson from October 7, and the Israeli government is determined to prevent the incident from happening again in the future.”
The IDF, acccording to its estimates, “has killed some 3,500 Hezbollah operatives in the past 14 months of fighting, the majority during the ground offensive in southern Lebanon which was launched in late September.
“According to the military's estimates, there are at least double that number of seriously and moderately wounded -- some 7,000 -- who are unable to fight.
“Hezbollah is seen by the IDF as significantly weakened, but not destroyed, as it still maintains about half of its basic capabilities, according to the military.
“The IDF now says it is working to "aggressively" enforce the ceasefire and prevent Hezbollah from re-arming and establishing infrastructure in southern Lebanon.” (via Mannie’s War Room)
The ceasefire agreement, as per a report in the Israel Hayom daily:
For this purpose, the United States and France present the following commitments:
Israel and Lebanon will implement a ceasefire starting at 04:00 a.m. on Nov. 27, 2024, according to the commitments detailed below.
The Lebanese government will prevent Hezbollah and any other armed group in Lebanon from conducting operations against Israel. Israel will not conduct offensive military operations against targets in Lebanon, including civilian, military or other targets, by land, air or sea.
Israel and Lebanon recognize the importance of Resolution 1701 for achieving sustainable peace and security and commit to taking steps for its full implementation.
These commitments do not prevent Israel or Lebanon from exercising their natural right to self-defense in accordance with international law.
Without prejudice to UNIFIL's mandate and responsibilities under Resolution 1701, Lebanon's official security and military forces, with their infrastructure and weapons, will be the only armed forces, and their weapons will be the only weapons, in the area south of the Litani River, as shown in the Lebanese army deployment plan attached to this agreement.
In accordance with Resolution 1701 and previous resolutions, to prevent the rearming of non-state armed organizations in Lebanon, weapons sales and supply to Lebanon will be regulated and controlled by the Lebanese government. Additionally, all weapons manufacturing in Lebanon will be regulated and controlled by the Lebanese government.
To implement Resolution 1701, upon cessation of hostilities, the Lebanese government will grant all necessary authorities to its security forces and direct them to:
a. Monitor and prevent unauthorized entry of weapons and related materials to and from Lebanon, including at all border crossings.
b. Dismantle unauthorized weapons manufacturing facilities and related materials, and prevent the establishment of such facilities in the future. This section will be implemented in southern Lebanon first.
c. Dismantle all infrastructure, military positions, and seize all weapons that do not comply with the commitments in this agreement. This section will be implemented in southern Lebanon first.
The US and France intend to work within the Lebanon Military Technical Committee (a multi-national body coordinating support for the Lebanese army, in accordance with UN resolutions) to enable and implement the deployment of 10,000 Lebanese army soldiers in southern Lebanon as soon as possible. Additionally, the US and France intend to work with the international community to support the Lebanese army, increase its deployment capabilities and improve its capabilities.
Upon cessation of hostilities, Israel and Lebanon will reformulate and improve the trilateral dialogue mechanism. The new mechanism, led by the US, with French participation and under UNIFIL auspices, will monitor and help ensure implementation of these commitments.
a. Israel and Lebanon will cooperate and enable its operation, including ensuring its security.
b. The mechanism will work with the Military Technical Committee to strengthen Lebanese army capabilities and training for monitoring and dismantling unauthorized sites and infrastructure, above and below ground, and seizing unauthorized weapons.
c. Alongside the mechanism's work, UNIFIL forces will continue to operate within their mandate, including supporting mechanism-led operations to improve its effectiveness.
Without prejudice to their right to directly address the UN Security Council, Israel and Lebanon will report any suspected violation of these commitments to the trilateral mechanism and UNIFIL. The mechanism will develop appropriate procedures for consultation, investigation, information gathering and assistance in implementing commitments.
Upon cessation of hostilities, Lebanon will deploy its official security and military forces at all borders and regulated and unregulated border crossings – by land, air and sea. Additionally, the Lebanese army will establish checkpoints and control points on all roads and bridges along the area south of the Litani line.
Upon cessation of hostilities, Israel will gradually withdraw its forces south of the Blue Line, while the Lebanese army will deploy its forces to their positions south of the Litani, as shown in the attached Lebanese army deployment plan. The Lebanese army will begin implementing its commitments, including dismantling unauthorized sites and infrastructure and seizing unauthorized weapons and other materials. The mechanism will coordinate the implementation of this section between the IDF and Lebanese army in a detailed plan, not to exceed 60 days.
Israel and Lebanon request US assistance, in cooperation with the UN, to aid in indirect negotiations between them to resolve remaining disputes along the Blue Line, in accordance with Resolution 1701.
The U.S. guarantees to Israel [as reported by Ynetnews]:
“Alongside this, the United States provided guarantees to Israel. These are the sections that are included in the U.S. guarantee letter:
* Israel and the U.S. intend to share sensitive intelligence concerning violations, including any infiltration by Hezbollah into the Lebanese army.
* The U.S. may share information provided by Israel with the Lebanese government or commission to allow them to address the violations.
* The U.S. is committed to cooperating with Israel to curb Iran's destabilizing activities in Lebanon, including preventing the transfer of weapons, affiliates and others from Iranian territory.
* The US recognizes Israel's right to respond to threats coming from Lebanese territory in accordance with international law.
* In the southern region, Israel reserves the right to act at any time against violations of the commitments. Outside the southern region, Israel reserves the right to act against the development of threats directed against it, if Lebanon is unable or unwilling to thwart these threats. If Israel decides to take such steps, it will inform the U.S. of this wherever possible.
* Israeli flights over Lebanon will be conducted for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance purposes only and will not break the sound barrier.”
This report will be updated as events dictate. Meanwhile, please feel free to share this post, subscribe, and help support my efforts to bring you accurate, sourced reporting, and close-up-and-personal slice-of-life scenes here in northern Israel and our Life on the Border - thank you for your consideration:
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#7 will be important to ensure compliance by the Lebanese. The Lebanese Army and UNIFIL are proven weak enforcers, easily controlled by Hezbollah. Lots of balls in the air, we'll wait and watch.