Contributed by Joe Montero

The ceasefire in Lebanon has captured world attention. So it should. But different interpretations as to what is means are out there. The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his government, the, United States their enable, and a handful of satellite nations insist this is a significant victory for themselves. The suggest this is proof that Hezbollah has been effectively defeated and stripped of its military ability.

It can’t be denied that the warrants for the arrest of Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant is another important factor. Although neither is likely to actually get arrested, the issuing of these warrants was a political blow against appeasement and support of Israel by the usual suspects.

The deal says Israel will withdraw its forces form Lebanon within 60 days.

Such an interpretation has nothing to do with reality. Here are a few corrections. Israeli ground forces failed to penetrate southern Lebanon, yet alone the north. They were defeated on the ground. The only part that worked were bombing raids from Israel.

Photo from AP: Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu tried to sell defeat his television broadcast on as a great victory

The stated objective and justification for attacking Lebanon, that is, the destruction of Hezbollah hasn’t been achieved. This, on its own, means that Israel was lost.

Secondly, the peace deal doesn’t get in the way of Hezbollah’s ability to precure weapons and maintain its fighting capacity. The term that requires Hezbollah to withdraw from the Israeli border is pretty much symbolic, because Hezbollah’s missiles remain just as capable of reaching any part of Isreal effectively.

But the ceasefire has stopped the fighting. This will undoubtedly put more pressure on Gaza and Hamas. This is the reality. On the other hand, Israel’s defeat in Lebanon exposes its fundamental weakness. Israel remains at war on several fronts, including Iran, Syria, Iraq, and of course, Yemen. Its fortunes are not likely to be any better in these places.

Make no mistake. This is a defeat for Israel, forced by its military failures, political division at home, and global isolation. Failure forced the search for an escape hatch.

For Hezbollah, this is a victory on the battlefield. It’s also more than this. Hezbollah is a for resistance against occupation. It is also a political party and part of the Lebanese government. Those who believe this is merely a military organisation or “terrorist” don’t get it. This is a political party and movement with massive popular support a cross Lebanese society. The opposition is a minority.

Over 3,000 Lebanese civilians have lost their lives so far. Hezbollah has a responsibility to protect all Lebanese, not just the Palestinians. It recognises this and has agreed to the ceasefire. This will bring more support from its allies and respect from political opponents. Hezbollah’s reputation as the defender of Lebanon has been enhanced.

The shooting and bombing in Lebanon might have stopped for now. Few believe that it will last. Israel continues its war against Palestinian elimination, with its efforts to provoke regional war and force in American ground troops. Isreal will not be able to tolerate a strong Hezbollah. It will regroup and find a way to strike again.

A temporary ceasefire might bring some breathing space. But there is no going back to before the holocaust in Gaza. The resistance there hasn’t been defeated. Israel can’t Iran, or anyone else. The political crisis at home won’t end. Isreal’s international isolation will remain. Israel has entered a period of slow collapse.

Nothing signifies this more than the failure to control Gaza as the resistance to occupation hits back with many actions every day. The Yemenis still control the waterways through the Red Sea and prevent supplies reaching Israel through this way. Attacks form the regional axis of resistance aren’t going to stop, and Isreal is powerless against this. A ceasefire in Lebanon won’t change any of this.

The only thing keeping it going for no is continuing military supplies form the United States and its satellites. The campaign to stop this will continue.

what is Australia’s goal going to be. Ongoing government appeasement and support, or a turnaround?