On September 24, 2024, Abdallah Bou Habib, Lebanon's Foreign Minister, expressed dissatisfaction with Joe Biden's recent address at the United Nations regarding the intensifying situation between Israel and Lebanon. Despite his disappointment, Bou Habib maintained hope for potential US intervention in the region.
"It was not strong. It is not promising and it would not solve this problem."
Bou Habib emphasized the United States' unique position to influence Middle Eastern affairs, particularly concerning Lebanon. This statement comes at a critical time, as Lebanon, a country with a rich history dating back to the Phoenician civilization, faces significant challenges.
The ongoing crisis has resulted in the displacement of approximately 500,000 people in Lebanon, a nation already hosting the largest number of refugees per capita globally. This situation is further complicated by Lebanon's complex political landscape, which includes 18 officially recognized religious sects and a unique confessional political system.
Concurrently, Israel reports that around 70,000 of its citizens have been forced to evacuate their homes in the northern region. The Israel-Lebanon border, stretching 81 kilometers, has become a focal point of tension.
The conflict has its roots in the events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, triggering an Israeli offensive in Gaza. The following day, Hezbollah, a militant group founded in 1982 during the Lebanese Civil War, began a series of attacks on Israel in support of Hamas.
President Biden, in his UN address, attempted to de-escalate tensions, emphasizing that a full-scale war would not benefit any party involved. He expressed belief in the possibility of a diplomatic resolution, a sentiment echoed by Israel, which has stated a preference for a negotiated solution to relocate Hezbollah away from the border.
Hezbollah, while asserting its desire to avoid an all-out conflict, maintains that only the cessation of hostilities in Gaza will end the current fighting. This stance complicates diplomatic efforts, including those led by US special envoy Amos Hochstein.
Hochstein, along with French diplomats, has been working to broker an agreement that would create a buffer zone near Israel's northern border, with the Lebanese army deployed in the area. However, Hezbollah has rejected such proposals until Israel agrees to a ceasefire with Hamas.
The situation is further complicated by Lebanon's ongoing economic crisis, which began in 2019, and the country's lack of a president since October 2022. These internal challenges, coupled with the external pressures of the current conflict, place Lebanon in a precarious position.
As tensions continue to escalate, the international community watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to a conflict that threatens the stability of a region already marked by historical complexities and ongoing challenges.