Mikati Praises Hezbollah’s Wisdom and Rationality

Najib Mikati, the acting Prime Minister of Lebanon, emphasized the importance of a ceasefire in Gaza as a foundational step for resolving conflicts in the region. In a statement to Al-Jazeera television, Mikati highlighted Hezbollah’s commitment to prioritizing Lebanese interests and acknowledged their approach as rational and wise.

He expressed a preference for diplomatic solutions and a desire for lasting peace along the border with Israel. Mikati reaffirmed Lebanon’s adherence to United Nations resolutions related to the country and advocated for respect and compliance with these international agreements.

Mikati urged the global community to exert pressure on Israel to halt its military actions, suggesting that a lasting resolution would involve adherence to the two-state solution and the full implementation of U.N. Resolution 1701. He stressed that this approach is essential for ending Israeli aggression and establishing lasting peace and stability on the border.

The backdrop of his comments is the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip that began on October 7. This conflict has led to frequent violent encounters on the Israel-Lebanon border, involving Hezbollah militants and Israeli forces.

The violence since October 7 has resulted in significant casualties. An AFP report indicates that 190 people have been killed in Lebanon, including more than 140 Hezbollah fighters and over 20 civilians, among them three journalists. In northern Israel, the conflict has claimed at least 15 lives, including nine soldiers, as per Israeli reports.

This situation is a reminder of the month-long war in 2006 between Israel and Hezbollah.