Kiryat Shmona Mayor Avichai Stern Criticizes Ceasefire with Hezbollah

In Tel Aviv, Israel, Mayor Avichai Stern of Kiryat Shmona has expressed strong opposition to a potential ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah. He fears it could lead to another devastating attack similar to the events of October 7th in Israel's northern region. Stern questioned the decision to ease military pressure on Hezbollah, stating, "I don't understand how we went from total victory to total surrender. Why aren't we finishing what we started?! We managed to destabilize Hezbollah, and instead of continuing to crush the organization and demolish it to dust, we're giving it oxygen and performing resuscitation?"

Stern warned that the agreement could leave the city's 22,000 residents with a "destroyed city without security and without a future." The proposed agreement includes a ceasefire, Hezbollah's withdrawal from southern Lebanon, and the departure of Israeli troops from Lebanese territory. The United States is expected to lead an international team to monitor the ceasefire, while Israel retains the right to respond with force if Hezbollah violates the agreement.

According to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, Hezbollah is prohibited from operating in southern Lebanon south of the Litani River. Recently, Hezbollah launched 250 rockets and drones at northern and central Israel, prompting the Israeli Air Force to increase airstrikes on Beirut. Following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah has been launching daily attacks on northern Israeli communities, displacing over 68,000 residents. Hezbollah leaders have vowed to continue these attacks to prevent Israelis from returning home.

In the October 7 attacks, at least 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage. Of the 97 remaining hostages, more than 30 have been declared dead. Hamas has also held two Israeli civilians captive since 2014 and 2015, along with the bodies of two soldiers killed in 2014.