Rubio: Peace between Israel and Lebanon is "Possible".. and Hezbollah is a "Problem"

SadaNews - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that peace between Israel and Lebanon is possible, but he pointed out that the group "Hezbollah" is the problem.

During a press briefing at the White House, Rubio said: "In general, I believe that reaching a peace agreement between Lebanon and Israel is attainable in the near future, and it should happen."

He added: "The problem between Israel and Lebanon is not Israel or Lebanon, but rather Hezbollah."

Rubio explained that "what needs to happen in Lebanon, and what everyone wants to see, is for there to be a Lebanese government capable of confronting the Hezbollah group and dismantling it."

Israel has intensified its airstrikes on Lebanon after the group launched rockets at Israel on March 2, three days after the outbreak of the US-Israeli war on Iran. Israel subsequently expanded its ground invasion in southern Lebanon.

According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, more than 2,702 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since March 2.

In contrast, Israel claims that 17 of its soldiers have been killed in southern Lebanon, while two civilians were killed in Hezbollah attacks.

Israel and Lebanon agreed to a fragile ceasefire in mid-April, which was later extended into May.

However, Israel continued to occupy parts of southern Lebanon and demolish towns there, while Hezbollah continued to launch attacks on Israeli forces.

Iran insists that any agreement to end the broader war must also include a halt to Israeli attacks in Lebanon, while Washington says the two issues are separate.