Brig. Gen. (res.) Nati Cohen stated today (Thursday) that if Israel advances the deal that was leaked over the negotiations with Lebanon, it will bring disaster to national security, adding that "we must demand that the return of the hostages be an integral part of any agreement with Lebanon."
"The leaked proposal is similar to Resolution 1701, and it would be a disaster if we rely on international forces to carry out the work in southern Lebanon," Cohen said, stressing that "the basis for any settlement must be Security Council Resolution 1559."
Cohen referred to the investigation that revealed that there are many confectionery restaurants and stores currently operating in the heart of the Gaza Strip, saying, "On the one hand, we need to show that we are not harming the civilian population, but on the other hand, it is Hamas that is strengthened by the humanitarian aid, since it is the one that distributes it."
Cohen claimed that the rumors of a 30-day ceasefire in Lebanon do not line up with reality: "We do hear, behind the scenes and indirectly, that Israeli politicians are willing to consider some kind of temporary arrangement – perhaps in order to placate the Americans ahead of the elections – but beyond that, I don't see us stopping the fighting in the coming weeks.
* Channel 14 contributed to this article.
