New Delhi, India

Israel has reportedly given the United States its list of conditions for a diplomatic solution to the war in Lebanon. According to an Axios report published on Sunday (Oct 20), the list of demands was shared last week ahead of American envoy Amos Hochstein's visit to Beirut on Monday(Oct 21) to discuss a diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict.

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What are Israel's demands?

Citing two US officials and two Israeli officials, the publication reports that Israel has demanded that its IDF forces (Israel Defense Force) be allowed to engage in "active enforcement" to prevent Hezbollah from rearming and rebuilding military infrastructure in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border.

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Additionally, Tel Aviv is seeking unrestricted access to Lebanese air space for its air force.

Will US accept these demands?

As per the report, these demands are expected to face significant resistance. 

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Speaking to Axios, a US official, highlighted that Lebanon and the international community are unlikely to agree to these terms as they undermine Lebanon's sovereignty.

Furthermore, the demands contradict UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which assigns peacekeeping duties to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). 

However, an Israeli official told the publication that they "are talking about 1701 with increased enforcement."

"Our main message is that if the Lebanese army and UNIFIL do more, the IDF will do less and the other way around," he added. 

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Hochstein's visit to Beirut

Amos Hochstein, a White House special envoy, will visit Beirut on Monday to negotiate a diplomatic path forward. There, the envoy will meet with Lebanese officials, including acting Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. 

Berri has already voiced strong opposition to amend Resolution 1701 in any way.

He told Al-Arabiya on Sunday that Hochstein's visit is "the last chance before the U.S. elections to reach a solution" to the war in Lebanon.

(With inputs from agencies)