Israeli Envoy Says Peace With Lebanon Is Possible, Calls Hezbollah Main Obstacle

YM Lee

Summary

Israel’s ambassador said peace between Israel and Lebanon is not a far-fetched idea.
The ambassador said Hezbollah and its backer Iran are the main obstacles to conflict resolution between the two countries.
The ambassador said troops will remain in southern Lebanon to respond to missile threats, and that attacks have continued even during the ceasefire.

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Diplomatic hopes for peace between Israel and Lebanon have resurfaced, with Israel identifying Hezbollah as the main obstacle.

Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s ambassador to the US, told CNN on April 23 that peace between the two countries is “not a far-fetched story” after a high-level meeting among the US, Israel and Lebanon at the White House.

“There is no irreconcilable conflict between Israel and Lebanon,” Leiter said. “The problem is Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran.” Iran and Hezbollah have repeatedly dragged Lebanon into war, he added.

He also described the presence of Israeli troops in southern Lebanon as not being the central issue. The forces will remain in place to respond to missile threats against northern Israel.

Israel and Hezbollah have continued to exchange attacks in recent days. Hezbollah has fired rockets toward Israel, while Israel has struck Hezbollah facilities in southern Lebanon.

Leiter also said the Lebanese government was failing to meet its obligation to dismantle what he described as terrorist infrastructure. Attacks from southern Lebanon have continued even during the ceasefire period, he said.