The Lebanese newspaper Al-Diyar, affiliated with the Shiite political camp, reported this morning that Israel has delivered a message to Beirut stating that the launch of political talks does not mean Israeli strikes will stop.
According to the report, Israel still sees itself bound by American pressure and is prepared to give negotiations with Lebanon a chance. The message was conveyed after the latest meeting of the ceasefire monitoring committee, which included Lebanese civilian representative Simon Karam.
Sources told Al-Diyar that senior Lebanese officials were informed of a firm deadline regarding the fate of Hezbollah’s weapons north of the Litani River. This deadline is expected to arrive at the start of the new calendar year.
If the issue remains unresolved, the report says practical steps will be taken to restrict Hezbollah’s arsenal — and Israel will receive a green light to continue what was described as “the process of eliminating Hezbollah’s military wing.”