Middle East updates: Israel, Lebanon discuss US-backed proposal to hand over territory
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is holding as Lebanese and Israeli officials discuss a proposal to transfer control of territory.
Lebanon and Israel are discussing a US-backed proposal for Israeli forces to transfer some of the Lebanese territory invaded in their war with Hezbollah to Lebanon’s military, officials on both sides say, in a possible step towards restoring Lebanese control of occupied territory.
The proposed pilot project is part of the latest round of Israeli-Lebanese talks in Washington DC, which are going ahead even after they appear to have been eclipsed by Iran’s move to make Lebanon central to its talks with the United States.
An Israeli drone strike on a car in southern Lebanon on Wednesday killed at least two people, Lebanese security and medical sources told Reuters, despite a new ceasefire.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.In response to questions from Reuters about the strike, the Israeli military said its air force had struck a vehicle carrying “suspects” into the zone controlled by Israeli troops in southern Lebanon in a separate incident.
Israeli forces have seized a swathe of southern Lebanon during the war that was ignited when Hezbollah opened fire at Israel in support of Iran, days after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran.
A ceasefire has largely held since Sunday but Israeli forces are still deployed deep inside southern Lebanon, citing the need to shield northern Israel from Hezbollah attack.
Facing an election by late October, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Israel will keep its “buffer zone” in southern Lebanon as long as he remains prime minister.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, told reporters in New York that Israel was looking to hand over some of the territory it was occupying to the Lebanese military although it was unclear how much land Israel would withdraw from.
“Eventually, we want to pull back to the river and to allow the Lebanese military to take over those positions,” said Mr Danon, referring to the Litani River about 30km north of the border with Israel.
Lebanon has said one of its key goals in the talks would be securing a full Israeli military withdrawal.
The Israeli officials said the Lebanese troops involved in the US-backed proposal would undergo US training and vetting to ensure they are not linked to Hezbollah, while Israel would maintain a military presence in a buffer zone along the border.
