Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Reuters: Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to restart peace talks in Istanbul.
Al-Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Blida municipality building two hours after occupying it, and the Lebanese army enters
Pakistani army: 6 soldiers and 7 militants killed in clash near the Afghan border
Israeli media: Sirens sound in the settlement of Kerem Shalom in the Gaza envelope area
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: We still believe in dialogue and prioritize diplomatic solutions with Pakistan; though we are ready for all possibilities.
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: Pakistan purposely obstructed negotiations in Turkey by making unrealistic demands.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement

No ceasefire deal could have included 'buffer zone' in Lebanon: Envoy

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Israeli Media
  • 28 Nov 2024 10:46
  • 1 Shares
5 Min Read

US Envoy Amos Hochstein underlines that no deal with Lebanon could have seen the Israeli occupation getting its hands on a buffer zone in the country's south.

Listen
  • x
  • Amos Hochstein, a senior adviser to President Joe Biden, gives a statement to the media after his meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, November 20, 2024 (AP)
    Amos Hochstein, senior advisor to President Joe Biden, gives a statement to the media after his meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, November 20, 2024 (AP)

US Special Envoy Amos Hochstein defended the recently brokered ceasefire between the Israeli occupation and Hezbollah, dismissing claims that the former could have secured a more favorable deal, including maintaining a buffer zone inside Lebanon.

Hochstein rejected the criticism voiced by former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who argued that the lack of a buffer zone in the agreement would allow Hezbollah to rebuild positions near the border, potentially staging future attacks.

“Yes, there are fantasy deals where you get a ceasefire agreement with a security zone, but those won’t ever happen,” Hochstein told Israeli Channel 12.

The envoy emphasized that maintaining a buffer zone would require the Israeli regime to occupy Lebanese territory, a move unacceptable to Lebanon or the international community as it is in clear violation of its sovereignty. Instead, the deal relies on commitments by Hezbollah to cease rocket fire and calls for the prevention of rebuilding the movement's infrastructure.

West, allies to boost Lebanese Army

Hochstein, for the sake of giving more assurances to the Israeli occupation, pointed out that Western and Arab allies have pledged to bolster the Lebanese Army with financial support, equipment, and training in order to allow it to maintain its presence in the south. 

The agreement also expands an existing enforcement mechanism under UN Security Council Resolution 1701, with the US and France now leading a tripartite committee alongside the Israeli occupation, Lebanon, and UNIFIL. This committee is tasked with addressing violations in real time.

Hochstein highlighted key elements of the deal, including the deployment of the Lebanese Army across southern Lebanon to replace Israeli troops over two months, aiming to keep Hezbollah from maintaining an armed presence south of the Litani River. 

Related News

Trump’s $230 mln DOJ compensation claim criticized as legally baseless

National Guard deployment in Washington DC extended until February

Hassan Fadlallah, an MP from Hezbollah's Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc in the Lebanese Parliament, said Wednesday that the party was working with the army's deployment across south Lebanon under the parameters of a ceasefire with "Israel," maintaining that "there will be no problem."

Prime Minister Najib Mikati stated that the army will strengthen its presence in the South, while the Lebanese Army revealed it has begun "reinforcing its presence in the South Litani sector and extending the state's authority in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)."

No pressures on 'Israel'

Moreover, Hochstein also downplayed claims of US pressure on the Israeli occupation, including alleged threats to withhold weapons or veto a UN resolution. "There were no threats whatsoever… Those ideas never came up in discussions at any point," Hochstein asserted.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, meanwhile, criticized Hochstein for describing the ceasefire as "permanent", clarifying that fighting could resume if violations occur. 

The United States has dismissed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claims that American threats forced the Israeli occupation to accept a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, Haaretz reported on Wednesday. Contradictory narratives have emerged from Netanyahu's office and Washington regarding the extent of US involvement in brokering the deal.

Israeli officials alleged that the Biden administration issued two significant threats: halting US arms shipments to the Israeli occupation and withholding its veto in the UN Security Council. These claims were categorically denied by American officials, who described their role as mediation rather than coercion.

An anonymous senior US official stated, "At no point was there any threat to withhold a Security Council veto or to suspend arms shipments. This agreement was reached through dialogue, not ultimatums."

Throwing blame on the US

Netanyahu's aides reportedly briefed journalists to build public support for the ceasefire by portraying it as an unavoidable decision imposed by the US. Analysts suggest this narrative is intended to counter criticism from the Israeli occupation's right-wing factions, which oppose any concessions to Hezbollah and Lebanon.

US officials countered this claim, emphasizing that Netanyahu was a willing partner in the negotiations. "The idea of US threats is a fabrication to appease domestic critics," said a senior Biden administration official.

The Biden administration is keen to use the Lebanon ceasefire as a model to push for a ceasefire in Gaza. However, this effort faces significant resistance within Netanyahu's coalition. Far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have warned they may withdraw from the government if such an agreement is pursued.

Netanyahu's considerations are also influenced by the political transition in Washington, with Donald Trump set to assume the presidency soon. US officials believe Netanyahu seeks to avoid straining relations with Trump, which may explain his willingness to finalize the Lebanon agreement while resisting similar moves regarding Gaza.

  • Israel
  • Israeli occupation
  • Palestine
  • Occupied Palestine
  • Lebanon
  • Hezbollah
  • Amos Hochstein
  • United States

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Hi-tech holocaust: Microsoft’s role in Gaza genocide

Microsoft's role in world’s first AI-driven genocide, in Gaza, exposed

  • Technology
  • 28 Oct 2025
What Marr evidently didn't seem to understand was that Hedges isn't saying that Western journalists manipulate the truth, but that they systematically amplify Israeli narratives they know are false. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Western journalists know they have a case to answer for their betrayal of Gaza, and it frightens them

  • Opinion
  • 24 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Displaced Sudanese who fled El-Fasher after the city fell to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), rest near the town of Tawila in war-torn Sudan's western Darfur region (AP)
Politics

UAE directly funded RSF, leading to fall of El-Fasher: Sudan

'You’re not welcome in Greece': Israelis face port protests
Politics

'You’re not welcome in Greece': Israelis face port protests

This photo released by the Israeli military on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, shows ground operations inside the Gaza Strip (AP)
Politics

IOF soldier who fought in Gaza, Lebanon denied entry to Czech Republic

UN inquiry exposes 'Israel’s' four genocidal crimes against Gaza
Politics

'Israel' committed four genocidal acts in Gaza, UN inquiry finds

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS