The current ceasefire proposal between Israel and Lebanon draws on the provisions of Resolution 1701 passed by the UN Security Council (UNSC) in 2006.
About the Blue Line
- The Blue Line is a temporary “line of withdrawal” between Israel and Lebanon established by the United Nations in 2000 to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.
- Historical Context
- The line is not a recognized international border but serves as a practical demarcation.
- It is based on historical maps dating back almost a century.
- Role in Resolution 1701
- Since the 2006 war, the Blue Line has been a central element of UNSC Resolution 1701.
- Any crossing of the Blue Line by any side constitutes a violation of UN Security Council resolution 1701
- Custodianship by UNIFIL
- UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Peacekeepers act as temporary custodians of the Blue Line.
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Background of Resolution 1701
- Conflict Origin: In July 2006, Israel invaded Lebanon after Hezbollah killed three Israeli soldiers and kidnapped two others.
- This war lasted over a month, leading to over 1,000 Lebanese and 170 Israeli deaths.
- Hezbollah (Party of God in Arabic) is an Iran-backed militant group that formed in 1982 to fight Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon.
About United Nations Resolution
- A Resolution is the formal expression of the opinion or will of a United Nations organ.
- They reflect the collective opinions and positions of Member States.
- Effect of the United Nations Resolution:
- The Resolutions assign mandates to the United Nations Secretariat and the subsidiary bodies of the General Assembly and decide on all questions regarding the United Nations budget.
- With the exception of decisions regarding payments to the regular and peacekeeping budgets of the United Nations, General Assembly resolutions/decisions are not binding for Member States.
- Implementation of UN Resolutions:
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- Most General Assembly resolutions are recommendations and rely on voluntary compliance by Member States.
- Binding resolutions, typically from the Security Council, require Member States to act under the UN Charter.
- The UN Secretariat and agencies execute assigned tasks, while Member States align policies and collaborate globally.
- The progress is monitored through reports, advocacy, and institutional mechanisms.
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About Resolution 1701
- Adoption: The UNSC Resolution 1701 was adopted unanimously in 2006.
- Objectives: It aims at full cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, and calls for the creation of a buffer zone as well as a permanent ceasefire.
- Completion of Israel’s Withdrawal: The resolution meant to complete the withdrawal of Israeli forces in 2000 from southern Lebanon along the ‘Blue Line’ and the Israel-annexed Golan Heights.
- Taif Accords: Agreement that ended the Lebanese civil war was negotiated in Ta’if, Saudi Arabia, in September 1989.
- UNSC resolutions 1559 (2004): Called for the disbandment and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias, including Hezbollah.
- It emphasized the importance of Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence, and urged the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon.
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Key Provisions of Resolution 1701
- Disarmament of Armed Groups: Full implementation of the Taif Accords and UNSC resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1680 (2006), requiring the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, so there will be no weapons or authority in the country other than that of the Lebanese State.
- Foreign Forces: No foreign forces in Lebanon without the Government’s consent
- Arms Supply: No sales or supply of arms and related materials to Lebanon except as authorised by its Government
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Litani River
- The Litani river runs for around 170 kilometres across most of southern Lebanon.
- Israel’s long-time objective has been to push Hezbollah to the north of the Litani river in Lebanon, where the UN Security Council’s Resolution 1701 mandates it to be.
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- Landmine Maps: Provision to the UN of all remaining maps of landmines in Lebanon in Israel’s possession
- Respect for the Blue Line: Full respect by both parties for the Blue Line and security arrangements to prevent the resumption of hostilities, including an area free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the Lebanese authorities and UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) between the Blue Line and the Litani River.
- UNIFIL Deployment: The Security Council thus authorised the UNIFIL force strength to a maximum of 15,000 U.N. peacekeepers to monitor the end of hostilities, help secure the area with Lebanese troops and ensure the safe return of displaced Lebanese.
Current Ceasefire Proposal (2024)
- Cessation of Hostilities: The US-backed proposal falls firmly within the limits of the Resolution 1701 and calls for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah within 60 days.
- This period will allow Hezbollah fighters to retreat 40 kilometres away from the Israel-Lebanon border.
- Israeli Withdrawal: Israeli ground forces are expected to withdraw from the Lebanese territory they have occupied since October 2023.
- Monitoring: Lebanon is expected to implement a rigorous supervision of Hezbollah’s movements south of the country’s Litani river, to prevent militants from regrouping there.
- These would be monitored by UN peacekeeping troops, the Lebanese military and a multinational committee.
- Israel: has vowed to resume military operations in case of a breach of the agreement.
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Reasons Behind Israel’s Agreement to the Ceasefire Deal
- Official Reasons by Prime Minister Netanyahu:
- Focus on Iran: Israel aims to direct its attention toward countering Iran.
- Replenishment of Resources: Allowing Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to regroup and restock supplies.
- Separation of Fronts: Taking one adversary (Hamas or Hezbollah) out of the conflict to prevent fighting on multiple fronts.
- Additional Reasons:
- Israel’s civil-military framework: The Former Defense Minister and IDF Chief of Staff pushed for a ceasefire, raising concerns over the government’s unclear military objectives and long-term strategy.
- Strategic Challenges in Lebanon: A prolonged military presence in Lebanon risked exhausting the IDF and potentially bolstering Hezbollah’s domestic support.
- Hezbollah’s Resilience: Despite significant losses, Hezbollah demonstrated sustained strike capabilities, firing 250 rockets just two days before the ceasefire.
- Israel’s advance to the Litani River marked a symbolic victory, but the ceasefire was necessary to avoid a costly and extended conflict.
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