Analysis: No deal reached in June stopped the fighting in Lebanon

In the month of June alone, there were four different agreements on the conflicts in Lebanon. None of them managed to stop the fighting.

However, when at least five different parties, Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Hezbollah and the US, hold divergent positions, it is not surprising that a comprehensive peace remains elusive.

On June 4, Israel and Lebanon reached a US-brokered ceasefire agreement, conditional on the "complete cessation" of Hezbollah fire and the withdrawal of all members of the group from southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah rejected the agreement, which allowed Israel to continue its operations in the south of the country. Israel has long doubted the ability, or willingness, of the Lebanese armed forces to disarm Hezbollah.

And the fighting continued.

Less than two weeks later, the US and Iran virtually signed a Memorandum of Understanding to pave the way for 60 days of negotiations.

The first clause of the agreement demanded a complete end to fighting, including in Lebanon. However, neither Israel nor Lebanon participated in the pact, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear to American President Donald Trump that he did not consider the agreement binding.

And the fighting continued.

Two days later, Israel and Hezbollah agreed to renew the ceasefire in Lebanon, as Iran demanded an end to fighting in the region to begin negotiations with the US.

And the fighting continued.

The next 48 hours saw some of the deadliest days of fighting since the war began in early March. Five Israeli soldiers have died in Hezbollah attacks, and at least 67 people have been killed in Israeli offensives.

On Friday (26), Israel and Lebanon signed a framework agreement mediated by the US, in an attempt to boost negotiations towards a broader peace agreement. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the act as "the beginning of the beginning" of the delicate diplomatic process that lay ahead.

However, Hezbollah rejected the agreement, calling it a "waste of Lebanon's sovereignty."

And the fighting continued.

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Source: CNN