Iranian leaders continue to insist that any agreement with the United States must include a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah as well, but the fighting between them threatens to derail the whole peace process.While the U.S. and Israel went to war against Iran on Feb. 28, Hezbollah, one of Iran’s top proxy forces in the region, resumed attacks on Israel days later, and now, with the U.S. and Iran on the verge of a deal that could pave the way to long-term stability, the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah could collapse the whole deal before it comes to fruition.Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon “was not a condition of the deal,” a senior administration official said on Monday. “The deal is a ceasefire, and it will not be a one-way ceasefire, meaning that if Iran is not able to control Hezbollah, and if they attack Israeli positions or Israeli towns, Israel will have the right to defend themselves and respond.”
The Israeli Air Force reported on Monday that it intercepted numerous Hezbollah rockets launched at Israeli troops in southern Lebanon.
Israeli leaders maintain they have the right to defend themselves against Hezbollah attacks and respond, but they angered President Donald Trump with a recent operation over the weekend as the U.S. and Iran closed in on a deal.
