Israel: Our ceasefire demands remain

Unconditional release of abducted soldiers, disarming of Hizb'allah

 Printer-friendly version

By Ryan Jones
August 08, 2006

Fearing the international community will succumb to Arab pressure to amend a draft UN resolution dealing with the Israel-Hizb'allah war, Defense Minister Amir Peretz made clear Tuesday Israel will not halt its defensive military operation in Lebanon until its two abducted soldiers are returned and Hizb'allah can no longer threaten northern Israel.

He made the remarks during a meeting with his Labor Party faction at the Knesset.

Israel has expressed satisfaction with the original draft ceasefire resolution authored by the US and France, which only calls for a withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon once a multi-national peace-enforcing force is ready to deploy. It also demands the unconditional release of Israel's kidnapped soldiers and legitimizes further IDF defensive action should Hizb'allah violate the agreement.

Beirut, however, has rejected the text outright, apparently under pressure from Iran, which has labeled the document an international act of aggression against Lebanon. That set off a fresh round of negotiations on a revision Western diplomats hope will be adopted on Wednesday or Thursday.

Related Articles:

• 'Germany approves subsidized sale of military submarine to Israel'
• IAF strikes Gaza tunnels
• Tens of thousands of IDF reservists called up
• Israel rolls on Gaza
• IDF finally acts to defend Israelis in the south

Support us!
Buy Israeli products

	Tekuma - Story of Israel's Rebirth $58.47 - 55% OFF! DVD box set outlining the miracle of the State of Israel
	Body Care Set $14.95 - 70% OFF! Dead Sea creams nourish and protect
	Medium Shofar $39.95 - 28% OFF! Classical ram's horn shofar

Sponsors: