Biden Administration Redirects Military Aid to Lebanon to Support Ceasefire
The Biden administration is reallocating over $100 million in military aid from Israel and Egypt to Lebanon, with the aim of supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces and reinforcing a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah. This comes after a recent ceasefire brokered by the U.S. aimed at reducing hostilities in Southern Lebanon. Funds will be used to enhance local security forces and maintain regional stability, while also supporting U.N. peacekeeping efforts.
In a significant policy shift during its final days, the Biden administration has decided to redirect over $100 million in military assistance away from Israel and Egypt and towards Lebanon. This decision is aimed at bolstering a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, with $95 million being taken from Egypt and $7.5 million from Israel. The primary focus of this funding will support the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to enhance their operational capacity in Southern Lebanon, and to aid the United Nations peacekeeping mission, known as UNIFIL, along the Blue Line, which is approximately 18 miles south of the Litani River. Additionally, Lebanon’s Internal Security Forces will receive $15 million to upgrade their infrastructure and maintain order in the southern region. Other provisions include $3.06 million allocated for the Palestinian Authority’s police operations and $2.5 million designated for Jordan’s Public Security Directorate to strengthen their capability to respond to public demonstrations.
This realignment of military aid comes in the context of a U.S.-negotiated ceasefire that took effect on November 27, effectively concluding nearly 14 months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. As part of this ceasefire arrangement, Israeli forces are set to withdraw incrementally from Southern Lebanon over a two-month period. In tandem, Hezbollah, classified as an Iranian proxy, is expected to pull back its forces north of the Litani River, allowing both the LAF and UNIFIL to take control of regions previously monitored by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The decision reflects a strategic attempt to stabilize the fragile security dynamics in the region, seeking to bolster Lebanese security forces in a period marked by increased tensions. The U.S. government aims not only to reinforce Lebanon but also to ensure a substantial reduction in hostilities, establishing a firmer grip on peace through partnered operations with local and UN forces.
The recent military aid reallocation by the Biden administration takes place within a complex geopolitical landscape characterized by longstanding tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Iran. The funding is part of a broader strategy to support regional stability and combat rising sectarian violence. The ceasefire agreement initiated a phased withdrawal of Israeli military forces from Southern Lebanon, which is anticipated to contribute to the evolving security architecture in the region, emphasizing the importance of strengthening local governance and military forces as a bulwark against extremism.
In summary, the Biden administration’s reallocation of over $100 million in military aid towards Lebanon represents a strategic pivot aimed at reinforcing peace and stability in the region amidst ongoing tensions. By empowering the Lebanese Armed Forces and internal security entities, this policy aims to facilitate a smoother implementation of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Hezbollah, potentially reshaping the dynamics of security in Southern Lebanon and influencing broader regional stability. The initiative highlights the United States’ commitment to fostering governance and support for allies in the Middle East.
Original Source: www.jewishpress.com
