The Biden administration is reallocating over $100 million in military aid from Israel and Egypt to Lebanon to bolster a ceasefire with Hezbollah, enhancing the Lebanese Armed Forces and internal security capabilities.
In a significant shift, the Biden administration is reallocating over $100 million in military aid previously designated for Israel and Egypt to Lebanon, aiming to bolster a ceasefire agreement established between Israel and Hezbollah. According to reports from the Associated Press, this redirection of funds includes $95 million diverted from Egypt and $7.5 million from Israel. A substantial portion of the funds will be utilized to enhance the capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), facilitating its deployment in Southern Lebanon and aiding the U.N. peacekeeping efforts along the Blue Line, which serves as the unofficial demarcation between Israel and Lebanon, roughly 18 miles south of the Litani River.
Additionally, $15 million of this reallocated assistance will be allocated to Lebanon’s Internal Security Forces to improve police infrastructure, thereby maintaining order in the south. Furthermore, minor allocations consist of $3.06 million for police operations under the Palestinian Authority and $2.5 million destined for Jordan’s Public Security Directorate, aimed at strengthening responses to public demonstrations. This move is made in light of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire that commenced on November 27, which terminated almost 14 months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. During this period, Israeli forces are expected to withdraw gradually from Southern Lebanon over a span of 60 days while Hezbollah is to retreat north of the Litani River, allowing LAF and U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) personnel to take over areas previously patrolled by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The Biden administration’s decision to reallocate military aid reflects ongoing tensions and the delicate balance of power in the Middle Eastern landscape, particularly between Israel and Hezbollah. This aid shift aims to strengthen Lebanon’s security forces amid a newly established ceasefire that seeks to stabilize the region after prolonged hostilities. The assistance directed to the Lebanese Armed Forces is part of a broader strategy to reinforce local governance and security, supporting international peacekeeping efforts and enhancing regional stability.
In conclusion, the Biden administration’s allocation of over $100 million in military aid to Lebanon aims to foster stability and reinforce the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The strategic funding will bolster the Lebanese Armed Forces and internal security, enabling improved governance and control in Southern Lebanon. This move underscores the U.S. commitment to promoting peace and security in a historically volatile region, while simultaneously recalibrating relations with its regional allies.
Original Source: www.jewishpress.com
