Lebanon truce could give ‘lifeline’ to Hezbollah – US senator

Lindsey Graham says the American-brokered ceasefire should not undermine Israel’s ability to fight the militants

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has criticized the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, arguing that it could empower the Lebanon-based armed group Hezbollah.

The 10-day truce, which took effect on Friday, is aimed at halting Israel’s military operation in Lebanon, which has left 2,196 people dead and 1.2 million displaced. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) renewed airstrikes and expanded their presence in southern Lebanon last month after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel in support of Iran.

“While I appreciate every effort to bring peace through diplomacy in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon, we have to be realistic about the situation on the ground,” Graham wrote on X.

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“The last thing we need to do in the name of peace is throw Hezbollah a lifeline by restricting Israel’s ability to attack this terrorist organization,” he said, adding that the Lebanese army has been “woefully inadequate in credibly disarming Hezbollah.”

“I will not support any agreement regarding peace in Lebanon that fails to convince me that it will result in the disarmament and demise of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization,” Graham said.

According to the US State Department, Israel has agreed to halt “offensive military operations against Lebanese targets,” but has reserved the right to “take all necessary measures in self-defense.” The deal also calls on the Lebanese government to prevent Hezbollah from attacking “Israeli targets.”

Hezbollah, which was not involved in the US-mediated negotiations, said the truce must halt all IDF activities in Lebanon.