Israel’s maximalist demands unlikely to lead to ceasefire with Hezbollah
Al Jazeera
Israel says it is open to a ceasefire with Hezbollah, but analysts say no truce is on the horizon.
Beirut, Lebanon – As Israel sends mixed messages about a ceasefire with the Lebanese group Hezbollah, analysts say the war is likely to intensify in the coming months.
On November 6, Israel’s top general, Herzi Halevi, told reporters the army was drawing up plans to expand its campaign against Hezbollah.
At the same time, he claimed Israel was amping up diplomatic efforts to secure a truce.
“Israel makes these statements to try and push the blame on Hezbollah,” said Mohanad Hage Ali, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut.
He is one of many analysts who believe Israel is feigning diplomacy as it prepares to expand an indefinite war on Lebanon. So far, that war has destroyed dozens of border villages, killed more than 3,000 people and uprooted 1.2 million people from their homes.
