• Israel's security cabinet has approved a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah, a militant group based in Lebanon.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supports the ceasefire, citing three reasons: focusing on the Iranian threat, allowing Israeli forces to recuperate and replenish, and isolating Hamas.
• Netanyahu warned that Israel would resume attacks if Hezbollah violated the agreement.
• The conflict, ongoing since last October, resembles the 2006 Lebanon War, and the ceasefire's success remains uncertain.

In a recent development, the Israeli security cabinet has given its approval for a ceasefire deal to conclude the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, a militant group based in Lebanon. This decision was confirmed by an Israeli official who chose to remain anonymous. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has been vocal about his support for the ceasefire, citing three primary reasons for his stance.

Netanyahu, in his statement, emphasized that the ceasefire does not imply a compromise on Israel's security. He stated, With the United States' full understanding, we maintain full freedom of military action. If Hezbollah violates the agreement and tries to arm itself, we will attack. If it tries to rebuild terrorist infrastructure near the border, we will attack. If it launches a rocket, if it digs a tunnel, if it brings in a truck carrying rockets, we will attack.

The first reason Netanyahu provided for his support of the ceasefire is to concentrate on the Iranian threat. He did not elaborate on this point, leaving room for speculation about the nature of this threat.

Netanyahu's Reasons for Ceasefire

The second reason he cited is to allow the Israeli forces to recuperate and replenish their stocks. He openly admitted that there have been significant delays in the delivery of weapons and munitions. However, he assured that these delays would soon be resolved, and the forces would receive supplies of advanced weaponry. This, he believes, will ensure the safety of the soldiers and enhance their strike force, enabling them to complete their mission more effectively.

The third reason Netanyahu mentioned is to isolate Hamas by separating the fronts. He stated, From day two of the war, Hamas was counting on Hezbollah to fight by its side. With Hezbollah out of the picture, Hamas is left on its own. We will increase our pressure on Hamas and that will help us in our sacred mission of releasing our hostages.

The duration of the ceasefire, according to Netanyahu, would depend on the situation in Lebanon. He reiterated that Israel would not hesitate to resume attacks if Hezbollah violated the agreement by rearming, digging tunnels, launching rockets, or rebuilding its infrastructure near the Israeli border.

The Ongoing Conflict and Historical Parallels

The conflict between Israel and Lebanon has been ongoing since October 8 of the previous year. It was initiated when Hezbollah attacked Israeli-controlled territory in solidarity with Hamas and Palestinians in Gaza. This attack led to a series of retaliatory border attacks, which eventually escalated into a major military offensive launched by Israel in mid-September.

The conflict has seen a ground invasion by Israel, resulting in the deaths of several Hezbollah leaders, including one of its founders, Hassan Nasrallah, and thousands of injuries from an attack involving exploding pagers. The situation remains volatile, with ongoing efforts to negotiate a ceasefire.

This conflict bears a striking resemblance to the 2006 Lebanon War, also known as the July War, which was a 34-day military conflict between Hezbollah paramilitary forces and the Israel Defense Forces.

The war began in response to a cross-border raid conducted by Hezbollah, which resulted in the capture of two Israeli soldiers. The conflict resulted in a high number of civilian casualties and significant infrastructure damage. The war ended with a United Nations-brokered ceasefire, but the long-term effects of the conflict are still felt today.