Rubio says Israel and Lebanon share one goal: The end of Hezbollah
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon as a “unique situation,” saying the two countries are not at war and that the only issue facing Tel Aviv is Hezbollah.
In an interview with Fox News, Rubio said the situation is unique because Israel does not view Lebanon as an enemy, but rather sees its conflict as being with Hezbollah. He added that many Lebanese themselves also view Hezbollah as a problem.
Rubio said both Lebanese and Israelis seek peace and that there is no inherent conflict between them. He stressed that Israel has no territorial claims on Lebanon, and said the current presence of Israeli forces in the south functions as a temporary buffer zone to protect northern settlements from rockets and small-arms fire, rather than as an occupation.
The U.S. official added that current efforts are focused on maintaining the ceasefire, while recognizing Israel’s right to defend itself against any imminent or ongoing attacks by Hezbollah members. He said the solution agreed upon by both sides is to strengthen the capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces so they can disarm and dismantle Hezbollah inside Lebanon, removing the need for Israel to do so.
Asked about recent Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, Rubio said the United States had been aware of the strikes, adding that Israel’s right to address imminent threats is a defensive measure.
He further argued that Hezbollah is not only at war with Israel, but also with the Lebanese state itself. Rubio called on all segments of Lebanese society to reject the group, saying Hezbollah has brought Lebanon only suffering and destruction.
Regarding the possibility of a continued Israeli buffer zone inside Lebanon, Rubio denied that Israel wants such a presence indefinitely. He said the ideal outcome for both Israelis and Lebanese would be a strong Lebanese government and armed forces capable of dismantling Hezbollah, adding that both the Lebanese and Israeli governments are pursuing the same goal: peace and the disappearance of Hezbollah.
Rubio stressed that Israel does not want to remain in Lebanon permanently, saying the good news is that both governments want the same thing: peace and the end of Hezbollah, while acknowledging that much work remains to achieve that goal.
