Israel Lebanon Agreement Analysis

So what is this agreement signed between Lebanon and Israel, and why does it give me real hope despite our regional cynicism?

Hi, I'm Maryam, a Lebanese-Israeli, and here are things the Israeli media won't tell you.

This week, a framework agreement was signed between Israel and Lebanon in Washington.

After long talks between Lebanese Ambassador to the US, Nada Ahmed Ammouad, and Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, and this is what he said about her.

You are basically like a Zionist, an imposter.

Despite Israeli and Lebanese cynicism that the agreement will actually lead to change, in practice, many critical things are happening, and if we continue on this path, we will yet reach the long-awaited peace.

First of all, Israel gained practical recognition from Lebanon, which is huge, and also recognition that de facto, Lebanon will be the sovereign over the Lebanese state.

As is well known, past agreements were always signed through mediators with the direct approval of Hezbollah; this time, it is not a player at the table at all.

This is a strong message that the Lebanese government is the sole sovereign.

Second, this is an attempt to take Hezbollah out of the equation, as I said. This is a significant shift in perception, meaning any future agreement will be with the Lebanese government and not with terrorist organizations.

And third, maintaining the security leverage. Anyone who read

the agreement probably knows that Israel is not withdrawing from southern Lebanon, but will withdraw gradually, which will of course depend on the performance of the Lebanese army.

What is important is Israel's commitment that it has no interest in Lebanese territories.

What will Lebanon gain?

First, it will gain international recognition of its sovereignty.

President Joseph Aoun, of course, will have to work hard to prove and justify this sovereignty.

Second, the possibility of economic recovery. Lebanon is in a deep economic crisis,

and if the border with Israel becomes quiet, investors will of course return,

tourism will recover, and the Gulf states will also return with their patronage and the money they will bring to the country.

What did the United States gain? I think the American strategy is,

we are seeing it in practice.

Strengthening nation-states like Lebanon and Syria, and we are seeing this too.

Promoting regional agreements, thereby expanding the circle of normalization.

What is happening right now in Lebanon?

Guys, of course Hezbollah supporters were sent to the streets, there is a big mess between them and the Lebanese army.

Not only does Hezbollah oppose the agreement, but also Amal, the Shiite party

led by Nabih Berri, which claims that the goal of the agreement is to create a civil war.

Not that there is no chance of a civil war in Lebanon, the situation is very sensitive there as it is,

but in my opinion, if a civil war does break out,

it will probably be the Lebanese, anti-Hezbollah bloc,

which includes Christians, Sunnis, Druze, and even Shiites, against the Hezbollah and Iran bloc,

and not an all-out war like in the 1970s.

First of all, let's hope that won't be the case,

and in the meantime, we will continue to follow the developments

in the movie of the new Middle East, all the way to the long-awaited peace.