United States Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers has arrived in Beirut, Lebanon, to lead the international team enforcing the Israeli-Hezbollah ceasefire truce. Jeffers was temporarily joined by Biden Administration adviser Amos Hochstein, who will serve until a civilian co-chair is appointed. Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers previously served as the head of special operations at U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
Later this week, the international enforcement mechanism overseeing the Lebanon cease-fire agreement is expected to ramp up operations. Israel and Hezbollah agreed to report any ceasefire violations to the enforcement mechanism, which according to the ceasefire agreement, will work with the Lebanese Army to enforce the terms of the ceasefire.
In the meantime, Israel has maintained it’s right to enforce the ceasefire through military action, with a senior Israel official saying: “Every violation will be met with significant enforcement, as is currently the case.”
Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s attention may be turning away from attempting to regain it’s presence in southern Lebanon, and towards protecting the Assad regime in Syria, another Iranian proxy, as it comes under attack from rebel forces. Hezbollah previously served as a main ground force for the Assad regime in the Syrian civil war, gaining valuable combat experience.
Prime Minister Netanyahu convened a rare Friday night security meeting to discuss the ongoing developments in Syria, with rebel forces taking capturing Aleppo. Reportedly, Israeli officials have characterized the development as being potentially positive for Israel in the short term.
{Matzav.com}