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
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**Interview with Middle East Analyst, Dr. Miriam Levin**
*Interviewer*: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Levin. We recently heard comments from Barrow after his visit to Israel, indicating a significant shift in Israeli military stance towards Lebanon. He stated that there are calls within Israel to retain the ability to launch strikes and potentially invade Lebanon, similar to actions in Syria. What does this suggest about Israel’s current military strategy?
*Dr. Levin*: Thank you for having me. Barrow’s comments reflect a growing assertiveness within Israel regarding its operational capacity in Lebanon. Historically, Israel has taken a cautious approach, but the intensifying security threats from groups like Hezbollah have prompted these discussions about proactive military options. This suggests a readiness to respond aggressively to perceived threats, which is a notable shift in their military doctrine.
*Interviewer*: Reuter’s report highlighted that many diplomats believe it may be nearly impossible to convince Lebanese factions to accept Israeli demands for military action flexibility. Why is there such resistance from Lebanon and its various groups?
*Dr. Levin*: The resistance stems from Lebanon’s complex political landscape, which is deeply fragmented along sectarian lines. Groups like Hezbollah are firmly opposed to any Israeli military presence or overtures, viewing them as a direct threat to Lebanese sovereignty. Additionally, there is a deep-seated historical animosity toward Israel stemming from past conflicts. These elements make any cooperation or acceptance of Israeli demands tremendously challenging.
*Interviewer*: Barrow also mentioned the need for coordinated international efforts, particularly between France and the United States. Why is this coordination essential, and what challenges might they face?
*Dr. Levin*: Coordination is crucial because both countries hold significant influence over different factions in Lebanon and the broader region. France has historical ties, while the U.S. is seen as a key ally to Israel. However, balancing these relationships is complex. France’s unilateral initiatives may lack the necessary backing to sway Israel, and similarly, the U.S. must understand Lebanon’s intricate political dynamics to avoid missteps. The diverging interests and strategies can lead to complications in reaching a cohesive approach to a ceasefire or negotiations.
*Interviewer*: In light of this situation, what do you think is the most likely outcome regarding Israeli-Lebanese relations in the near future?
*Dr. Levin*: Given the current dynamics, I foresee continued tensions and potential military confrontations if diplomatic channels do not gain traction. The rhetoric coming from Israeli officials indicates they may not ease off on their military posture. Meanwhile, the Lebanese groups, especially Hezbollah, are unlikely to back down in their resistance to Israeli actions, leading to an escalation that could spiral quickly if not managed carefully by international actors.
*Interviewer*: Thank you for your insights, Dr. Levin. It certainly paints a complex picture of the current state of affairs in the region.
*Dr. Levin*: Thank you for having me. It’s a critical moment, and the actions taken now will have long-term implications for peace and stability in Lebanon and beyond.
