This is the key, according to him, to putting an end to all clashes between Israel, Hezbollah and other armed Islamist groups in the region.
As threats of a dangerous military escalation increase in Lebanon, Firass Abiad, the Lebanese Minister of Health, says that “the Lebanese people want peace”.
The country’s ministers are desperately seeking solutions in a government with divergent positions on Israel’s war against Hezbollah, two members of which are also ministers.
“Hezbollah has clearly stated that if things stop in Gaza, it will cease all its actions. And so, I think everyone understands that a ceasefire in Gaza will be an instrument to eliminate the excuse of all non-state actors, whether in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen or elsewhere” says Firass Abiad.
Besides Hezbollah, other non-state actors include Hamas, the Houthis and Iranian-allied groups in Iraq. However, according to UN Resolution 1701, the Lebanese government should have disarmed Hezbollah in southern Lebanon since 2006.
“Resolution 1701 has also been violated by Israel which continues to occupy parts of Lebanon and its warplanes continue to enter Lebanese airspace and attack Lebanon” comments Firass Abiad.
The attacks caused thousands of civilian casualties, particularly in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, where Hezbollah is believed to have its hideouts and bunkers. The attacks destroy entire villages, not just military targets.
“Lebanon is already going through multiple crises. We are in a deep financial crisis. We are hosting a large number of refugees, almost 1.5 million. A third of our population. You know, this war which has lasted for almost a year has really put a strain on our system.” explains Firass Abiad.
Thousands of people have left their villages in the South and the Bekaa Valley to find refuge in Beirut province, in the Lebanese mountains and in the north of the country.