Israel sees progress in Lebanon ceasefire talks, says Russia could help disarm Hezbollah

Even though the Iran-backed group ruled out receiving any communication for truce proposals, Israel said Monday that negotiations for a ceasefire in Lebanon were going well and suggested that Russia may help prevent Hezbollah from retaliating through Syria.

Gideon Saar, the Israeli foreign minister, said that Israel is exploring all diplomatic channels with the United States and that the primary obstacle would be implementing any ceasefire agreement.  

Speaking to reporters in Jerusalem, Saar said,  “We will be ready to be there if we know, first of all that Hezbollah is not on our border, is north of the Litani river and that Hezbollah will not be able to arm again with new weapons systems."

Israel escalated air strikes in late September targeting Hezbollah strongholds across Lebanon and sent in ground troops a week later, on September 30.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the aim of the operation is to push Hezbollah north of the Litani river, which flows across southern Lebanon.

Another goal is to stop any attempt by Hezbollah to rearm.

The group is armed and financed by Iran.

Saar on Monday reiterated Israel’s objectives. He said Israel would “be ready” for a ceasefire if Hezbollah is not on the country’s border and unable to rearm itself with weapon systems arriving “from Syria, from the sea, from the airport”.

He added: “The main challenge, eventually, will be to enforce what will be agreed.”

“We want to get our citizens back home safely, and if we will meet the right conditions, we will be there. In the meantime, the operation of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) near our border continues,” Saar added.

Tens of thousands of Israelis were displaced when Hezbollah began cross-border fire more than a year ago in what it described as support for Palestinian militants Hamas, who attacked Israel triggering the ongoing war in Gaza.

With inputs from agencies.