Israel cannot settle for another ceasefire with Lebanon, Alma Center head says - interview

The Alma Research and Education Center, through its founder Sarit Zehavi, presents a stark assessment of the security situation on Israel's northern border. Zehavi argues forcefully that the cycle of conflict and temporary ceasefires with Lebanon is unsustainable and detrimental to Israel's long-term security. The core of her argument rests on the failure to enforce international resolutions and maintain a buffer zone, allowing groups like Hezbollah to re-arm and re-establish their presence.

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Between May 2000 and until actually the end of the previous war in 2023, there was no Israeli presence in Lebanon and there was no buffer zone in Lebanon.

From our perspective, the notion of simply pausing hostilities without fundamentally altering the security reality on the ground is a dangerous illusion. The past two decades have shown that ceasefires, without robust enforcement and a clear Israeli presence capable of deterring aggression, only serve to empower our adversaries. The Litani River, which was meant to be a zone free of 'illegitimate weapons,' has instead become a staging ground for threats against Israeli communities.

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The area south of the Litani River, she noted, was supposed to be free of “any illegitimate weapon,” but “it never happened, and nobody enforced that.”

Zehavi rightly points out that Israel's objective is not territorial gain but peace and security for its citizens. The language of 'occupation' is a mischaracterization of our defensive posture. However, achieving this peace requires more than just Israeli military action. Hezbollah's deep integration into Lebanese society and state structures means that a purely military solution is insufficient. A comprehensive approach, involving the Lebanese government and international actors, is essential. Furthermore, understanding Hezbollah's reliance on Iran is crucial; Tehran is not merely a financier but the ideological and strategic center of gravity for the organization.

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We are not interested in just another ceasefire. It will not only fail to solve the problem but… will enable Hezbollah to rebuild and to threaten us again.

This situation is uniquely challenging for Israel. While Western media may focus on the immediate cessation of hostilities, we in Israel understand that true security demands a long-term strategy that addresses the root causes of conflict and dismantles the military capabilities of groups like Hezbollah. The Alma Center's analysis underscores the need for a proactive and multifaceted approach, one that prioritizes the safety and well-being of northern Israeli residents above all else.

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Providing security to the citizens of northern Israel is not just an Israeli effort, unfortunately, because Hezbollah became entrenched into the Lebanese society and into the Lebanese administration and government.