Report: US ‘side letter’ to Israel pledges to share intelligence on Hezbollah activity after ceasefire, cooperate against Iranian threat

Israel’s Channel 12 news outlet shares details from a side letter that it says the US is providing to Israel as part of the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal, in which it affirms and details Israel’s right to defend itself against renewed threats from the Iran-backed terror group in Lebanon.

According to the report, the US will commit to providing Israel with intelligence information pertaining to violations of the terms of the ceasefire deal, and in particular, regarding any indication that Hezbollah is attempting to infiltrate the ranks of the Lebanese Armed Forces, which will be deployed to southern Lebanon.

The letter also reiterates the US’s commitment to cooperating with Israel to prevent Iran from continuing its destabilizing operations in Lebanon, including the smuggling of Iranian weapons to Hezbollah, the report adds.

The US also confirms in the letter that Israel has the right to act in response to threats from inside Lebanon, “in accordance with international law,” Channel 12 reports.

Regarding the possibility that Hezbollah will violate the terms of the ceasefire, the letter is reported to note that should the terms of the agreement be broken in southern Lebanon, from which Hezbollah is required to withdraw, Israel will reserve the right to act at any time.

Beyond southern Lebanon, it will reportedly only be permitted to act in response to Hezbollah violating the ceasefire if the Lebanese Armed Forces are unable or unwilling to deal with the violations itself.

Should Israel feel it is required to take action in response to threats inside Lebanon, regardless of where, it will be required to notify the United States wherever possible, Channel 12 says the letter adds.

Finally, the report says, the letter confirms Israel’s right to conduct reconnaissance flights over Lebanon, for intelligence purposes, so long as they do not break the sound barrier.