US envoy headed to Beirut to reportedly demand strict ceasefire implementation

US envoy Morgan Ortagus is slated to arrive in Lebanon today to take part in a meeting of the “Cessation of Hostilities Implementation Mechanism” — made up of US, UNIFIL, Israeli, French and Lebanese officials — aimed at pushing forward with the ceasefire reached a year ago with Israel.

According to the MTV Lebanese news site, the Israeli official slated to take part in the talks is Uri Resnick of the National Security Council. Former Lebanese ambassador to the US Simon Karam will reportedly represent Beirut in the negotiations.

The pro-Hezbollah Lebanese al-Akhbar news site reports that Ortagus is expected to demand a strict enforcement of the ceasefire deal including searching private homes in southern Lebanon as well as in the Beqaa Valley, considered Hezbollah strongholds.

Ortagus met yesterday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. Israeli officials reportedly presented her with intelligence showing repeated Hezbollah violations of the ceasefire deal.

Tensions between Israel and Lebanon have soared in recent weeks as the IDF has stepped up its strikes on Hezbollah targets in the country, including a targeted assassination of the terror group’s chief of staff last month.

Pope Leo visited Lebanon this week and with his departure last night, Lebanese citizens are said to now be bracing for a renewed Israeli bombing campaign.