Dr. Mordechai Kedar says the new Israel-Lebanon memorandum is a historic document — but its fate depends on whether Lebanon can finally impose state authority over Hezbollah.
Dr. Mordechai Kedar says the new memorandum between Israel and Lebanon marks a dramatic moment: Lebanon has effectively recognized Israel’s right to exist in peace, accepted the principle that Israel may remain in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is removed, and agreed that only the Lebanese government has the right to hold armed power.
According to Kedar, the most important clause is the one stating that the state must have a monopoly on the military. That means Hezbollah has no legitimate right to keep weapons, start wars, receive foreign financing from Tehran, or drag Lebanon into conflict without government approval.
But Kedar warned that the entire agreement depends on one question: can the Lebanese government actually deliver? If it can impose its authority on Hezbollah, Lebanon could change direction. If not, Hezbollah will continue controlling large parts of the country even without missiles or drones — using rifles, RPGs, and intimidation.