If Hezbollah rushed to raise banners reading “Thank You Iran” along the road to Rafic Hariri International Airport, deepening claims of “victory” resulting from the Iranian-American negotiation track—as if celebrating the survival of the Iranian regime after more than four decades of hostility with the “Great Satan,” the United States, through the first public direct meeting in Burgenstock, Switzerland.

The height of irony lies in the Hezbollah's demagogic attacks, echoed by political and religious figures within its support base, against the Lebanese state authority. That authority now finds itself cornered by a war Hezbollah dragged Lebanon into, forcing it into negotiations with Israel under American sponsorship.

With striking duplicity that permits the “subordinate state” to negotiate with its enemy while denying the “mother state” the right to negotiate an end to the war and occupation crisis caused by blind allegiance to Iran, opposition circles have closely followed the latest diplomatic and military developments ahead of the American-Iranian meeting in Switzerland and on the eve of the fifth round of Lebanese-Israeli negotiations under U.S. sponsorship.

The talks are scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week at the U.S. State Department in Washington, with diplomatic and military delegations from the three countries participating.

The Lebanese diplomatic and military delegation heads to Washington with clear priorities: securing a ceasefire, establishing a timetable for Israeli withdrawal, and remaining open to discussing pilot areas after revising the proposed mechanism for such a plan.

Sources involved in preparations for the fifth round confirm that Lebanon is carefully assessing the implications of any U.S.-Iran understanding on the volatile situation along the Lebanese front and is not particularly concerned if the truce holds as a result of these developments.

However, this does not imply acceptance of calls from the pro-Iran camp to abandon the negotiation track, which remains separate from the Iranian file, in what critics view as an attempt to preserve Iranian influence over the Lebanese dossier and use it as leverage in broader international bargaining.

General Commander Rodolphe Haykal with officers and soldiers inspecting the units deployed in the Nabatieh area.

An Opportunity for a Ceasefire

The past twenty-four hours have provided what observers describe as a “test opportunity” for the ceasefire, allowing a relative easing of tensions and offering a chance to gauge its durability. A noticeable reduction in violence and escalation was recorded across most southern Lebanon and western Bekaa fronts. No Israeli airstrikes were reported, and Hezbollah has not carried out any attacks since Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, banners appeared along the road from Beirut International Airport toward the south, displaying images of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his son Mojtaba Khamenei alongside the slogan “Thank You Iran.”

Amid fears of renewed fighting, several municipalities in southern Lebanon issued statements urging residents to wait 72 hours before returning to their villages.

These warnings followed a major escalation during which the Israeli Air Force carried out more than 300 strikes across Lebanon on Friday and Saturday, resulting in over 100 deaths and more than 200 injuries.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri expressed satisfaction yesterday with the efforts that led to the ceasefire and voiced hope that it would hold, depending on Israel’s willingness to comply with it and Hezbollah’s commitment in return.

He stressed that “it is not acceptable to negotiate under fire.” In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Berri said he remains in continuous contact with President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, despite acknowledging that “they have different ideas than mine.”

He added: “I do not believe there is a problem between us as long as we agree on Israel’s withdrawal from the south, the deployment of the Lebanese Army, the return of residents to their towns and villages, the release of prisoners, and the establishment of a reconstruction plan with Arab and international support so people can remain on their land, to which they are deeply attached.”

However, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz quickly reaffirmed that “the Israeli army is not restricted in its operations inside Lebanon,” stressing that Israeli forces will continue acting against threats wherever they are identified.

He argued that the ceasefire announced on Saturday “does not impose any restrictions on Israeli military movements,” adding that Israeli forces “will remain in every position they currently occupy within the security zone designed to protect northern settlements.” He further stated that Israel “will not withdraw from the security zone in southern Lebanon” despite the ceasefire.

The latest escalation saw Israeli efforts to expand military operations, particularly around Kafra, Yater, and the Ali Taher Heights, where intense confrontations were reported.

The battle for Ali Taher was considered existential for Hezbollah while carrying significant symbolic importance for the Israeli military. Writing in Maariv, Israeli military correspondent Avi Ashkenazi reported that the Israeli army intensified operations in Kfartebnit and Majdal Zoun to uncover and clear what it refers to as the “Secret City” underground network.

He claimed that the heights, especially Ali Taher, contain “strategic Hezbollah offensive systems,” including dozens of tunnels equipped with command centers, large weapons depots, and field hospitals serving as transit corridors toward the north.

Israel later announced the end of its latest military operations in southern Lebanon following the broad escalation campaign, while confirming that its forces would continue to maintain positions in areas under their control.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel would remain in southern Lebanon “for as long as necessary to defend its northern borders.”

An official from the Prime Minister’s Office said that Netanyahu had instructed the army to respond forcefully to any Hezbollah attack and to eliminate any threat targeting Israeli forces.

According to Israeli media reports, the decision to halt the escalation was not purely Israeli but came under significant American pressure aimed at limiting military operations following Iran’s escalatory move to close the Strait of Hormuz.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that the United States delivered a message urging Israel not to escalate military activity in Lebanon in order to preserve conditions for the upcoming talks between Washington and Tehran in Switzerland regarding the nuclear file.

Washington reportedly emphasized that Israel has “the right to defend itself,” but should refrain from military actions that could jeopardize the anticipated negotiations between the United States and Iran.