With negotiations in Switzerland at a critical juncture, Iran having called for a suspension of talks with the U.S. over the issue of Lebanon, Israel states that its army will remain in the south of the country.
For his part, the chief of the General Staff of the Israeli army, Eyal Zamir, stated earlier today that “the ceasefire in Lebanon is fragile” and that “Israeli forces must maintain a high level of readiness for a possible resumption of operations if required.”
“Hezbollah has suffered a serious and significant blow,” said Eyal Zamir. He even warned that “the Israeli army is ready to continue operations to prevent the organization’s forces from regrouping.”
In response to Israel, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem warned today that “Israel will not remain in Lebanon” and that the organization “will respond to any violation of the ceasefire” by the Israeli side.”
“The presence of Israeli forces on Lebanese soil is no longer possible,” said Naim Kassem. “There are no safe zones for Israel,” said the leader of the pro-Iranian organization in a televised address. “We have a Lebanese army that is the only one capable of deploying and is responsible for safeguarding the sovereignty” of Lebanon, and we are cooperating with it,” added Naim Kassem.
The death toll in Lebanon has exceeded 4,000
It should be noted, however, that Israeli attacks on Lebanon have caused the deaths of 4,057 people since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah on March 2. Among the dead are 135 rescue workers and medical personnel, according to the official report released today.
