Ronnie Chatah, host of the Beirut Banyan podcast, says he does not expect real peace between Lebanon and Israel despite an agreement having been signed between the two sides in Washington. “What I see is something far more practical—at least in the near term—which is a permanent cessation of hostilities and a mechanism for two things to happen over time,” namely “Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon and some solution to Hezbollah’s weapons,” he told Al Jazeera. Nonetheless, the talks held in Washington opened the door to diplomacy and direct negotiations between Israeli and Lebanese officials, Chatah added. American mediation could then move things forward by “giving the Lebanese government space to take over what Hezbollah is leaving behind.” However, “this is a very delicate and sensitive issue for Lebanon,” Chatah said, as the Lebanese army risks direct confrontation with Hezbollah.
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