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
How might the fragmentation of Lebanese political factions affect diplomatic efforts between Israel and Lebanon?
**Interview with a Middle East Analyst on Recent Developments in Israel and Lebanon**
**Interviewer:** Welcome to our program. Today, we have with us Dr. Sarah Green, a Middle East analyst and expert on Israeli-Lebanese relations. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Green.
**Dr. Green:** Thank you for having me.
**Interviewer:** Let’s start with the recent comments made by Barrow during a parliamentary session about Israel’s military stance regarding Lebanon. He mentioned that Israeli officials are increasingly demanding the ability to launch strikes against Lebanon at any moment. What does this signal about Israel’s current strategy?
**Dr. Green:** Barrow’s statement underscores a significant shift in Israel’s military posture toward Lebanon. It reflects a growing urgency among Israeli leaders to have a flexible military response capability, particularly in light of unresolved tensions with Hezbollah. This willingness to potentially invade Lebanon mirrors Israel’s actions in Syria and indicates a broader strategy to deter threats from militant groups that pose risks to its security.
**Interviewer:** Interesting. Reuters highlighted that diplomats believe it will be nearly impossible to convince the Lebanese factions to accept such aggressive proposals. Why is that the case?
**Dr. Green:** The Lebanese political landscape is highly fragmented and vulnerable to external pressures. Hezbollah, being a dominant force, is unlikely to agree to any proposal that undermines its authority or further entrenches Israeli military presence. Additionally, the historical animosity and the fear of escalating conflict mean that any perceived Israeli aggression would likely be met with increased resistance from various factions within Lebanon, making diplomatic resolutions exceedingly difficult.
**Interviewer:** Barrow also commented on the dual roles of France and the US in mediating this situation. Can you elaborate on why he believes coordination is essential between these two countries?
**Dr. Green:** Barrow’s insights point to the complex geopolitical dynamics in play. France’s historical ties with Lebanon give it a unique perspective, but it cannot lead initiatives without substantial backing from the US, especially considering Israel’s deep security ties to Washington. Conversely, the US cannot operate effectively without a robust understanding of Lebanon’s internal politics. Coordination is vital to ensure any proposed solutions are feasible and accepted by the parties involved, particularly given the tense atmosphere.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, Israel has yet to respond to Barrow’s statements. What might this silence indicate about their strategic calculations?
**Dr. Green:** Israel’s silence could suggest a couple of things. It might indicate that they are still assessing the implications of Barrow’s comments, or it could be a strategic choice to keep their intentions ambiguous. This ambiguity allows Israel to maintain a psychological edge, keeping both local and international actors guessing about their next moves. However, it can also lead to miscalculations if other parties misinterpret Israel’s intentions or readiness.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Green, for your insights on these complex issues. It’s clear that the situation remains delicate and requires careful handling by all parties involved.
**Dr. Green:** Thank you for having me. Hopefully, we can see progress towards stability in the region.
**Interviewer:** That concludes our interview for today. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.