Barrow said during a parliamentary session after his visit to Israel last week: “Israeli officials are increasingly repeating a condition… Today in Israel we hear voices demanding that we retain the ability to launch strikes at any moment and even invade Lebanon, as is the case with neighboring Syria.”
Reuters pointed out that “a number of diplomats believe that it will be almost impossible to convince the Lebanese factions or Lebanon to accept any proposal that includes this demand.”
Barrow, who held talks with Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and new Defense Minister Yisrael Katz last week, added: “There is no point in France leading initiatives on Lebanon alone given its need for the United States to convince Israel. Likewise, there is no point in Washington moving alone because it will lack the An accurate assessment of the internal political dynamics in Lebanon.”
The coordination process between Paris and the outgoing US administration to reach a ceasefire became more complex, as the US envoy to Lebanon, Amos Hochstein, focused on his own proposals.
There has been no comment yet from Israel on Barrow’s statements, but Katz had said on Thursday during his visit to the Northern Command, accompanied by Chief of Staff Major General Herzi Halevy and Commander of the Northern Command Major General Uri Gordin: “We will not allow any arrangement in Lebanon that does not include achieving the goals of the war, and above all.” “Israel’s right to subdue and prevent terrorism on its own.”
He added: “We will not announce any ceasefire. We will not take our foot off the pedal, that is, we will continue and will not allow any series (agreement) that does not include achieving the goals of the war, which are the disarmament of the Lebanese factions and their withdrawal beyond the Litani, and creating conditions for the residents of the north to return to their homes safely.”
These statements by Katz come against the backdrop of contacts with the United States to reach a settlement on the northern border, which is considered to be in the final stages of its formulation, with Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer leading the moves before Washington.
For his part, the Secretary-General of the Lebanese faction movement, Naim Qassem, confirmed last Wednesday that there will be no path to indirect ceasefire negotiations other than Israel stopping its attacks on Lebanon.
He added: “The basis of any negotiation is built on two things: stopping the aggression and that the ceiling of the negotiation be the complete protection of Lebanese sovereignty, and that only developments on the battlefield, not political movements, will put an end to the hostilities.”
He pointed out that “there will be no path to indirect negotiations through the Lebanese state unless Israel stops its attacks on Lebanon.”
Source: Reuters + RT
#French #Foreign #Minister #Israel #retain #possibility #striking #Lebanon #ceasefire
What are the potential implications of U.S. and French coordination—or lack thereof—for achieving a ceasefire in the ongoing Israeli-Lebanese tensions, according to Dr. Goldstein?
**Interview with Political Analyst Dr. Miriam Goldstein on Recent Middle East Developments**
**Editor:** Today, we have Dr. Miriam Goldstein, a political analyst specializing in Middle Eastern affairs, joining us to discuss the recent statements made by Barrow regarding Israeli military policy and its implications for Lebanese politics. Welcome, Dr. Goldstein.
**Dr. Goldstein:** Thank you for having me.
**Editor:** Barrow mentioned that there is a growing sentiment in Israel about maintaining the ability to conduct strikes at any moment in Lebanon. How significant is this stance in terms of Israel’s broader military strategy?
**Dr. Goldstein:** This is quite significant. The desire to retain military flexibility against Lebanon reflects Israel’s longstanding concerns about Hezbollah and the potential for military escalation. By asserting the right to strike at any time, Israeli officials are signaling their intent to preemptively address threats, especially as tensions continue to simmer in the region. The situation in Syria has set a precedent for this approach, and it underscores a broader doctrine of deterrence that Israel adheres to.
**Editor:** Reuters noted that convincing Lebanese factions to accept this demand will be nearly impossible. What challenges does this present for diplomatic efforts in the region?
**Dr. Goldstein:** The challenge is multi-faceted. Lebanese factions, particularly those aligned with Hezbollah, are unlikely to acquiesce to any proposal that undermines their sovereignty or military capabilities. This creates a significant barrier to any diplomatic solutions. It suggests that external powers, like France and the U.S., will need to engage Lebanon with a nuanced understanding of its internal dynamics and the coalition of political actors at play there. If they fail to do this, any diplomatic initiative is likely to be seen as insincere or coercive.
**Editor:** Barrow also emphasized the necessity for U.S. and French coordination on this issue. How does this coordination—or lack thereof—impact the likelihood of achieving a ceasefire?
**Dr. Goldstein:** Coordination between France and the U.S. is crucial. Both nations hold significant influence over Israel’s decision-making process, but unilateral actions could exacerbate tensions. Barrow’s comments imply that without a united front, diplomatic efforts are weakened. Misaligned strategies could lead to confusion and mistrust among Lebanese factions, potentially escalating the conflict rather than resolving it. A deep, collaborative approach to both sides’ interests, particularly addressing security concerns on Israel’s part and sovereignty concerns on Lebanon’s, will be essential for any ceasefire negotiations.
**Editor:** What can we expect moving forward in this volatile situation?
**Dr. Goldstein:** Expect further military posturing from Israel as tensions persist. Simultaneously, regional and global powers will likely seek to mediate, but success will depend on their ability to navigate the complex landscape of Lebanese politics and mitigate Israel’s security fears. If diplomatic efforts falter, we may see an escalation in militant responses, which could spiral into wider conflict.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Goldstein, for your insights. As the situation unfolds, it’s essential to keep these dynamics in mind.
**Dr. Goldstein:** Thank you for discussing these critical issues with me. It’s a fluid situation, and continuous dialog will be key to understanding its development.
