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 can international actors like France and the United States effectively coordinate their efforts to facilitate peace in the region?
**Interview with John Barrow, Discussing Regional Tensions and Diplomatic Efforts in Lebanon**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Barrow. You recently returned from a visit to Israel where you had discussions with key officials, including Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz. Can you summarize the key takeaways from your conversations?
**Barrow:** Thank you for having me. My discussions emphasized the increasing vocalization among Israeli officials regarding their military posture towards Lebanon. There are clear demands within Israel to maintain the capability for rapid military actions, potentially even an invasion, similar to their operations in Syria. This poses significant challenges for any diplomatic resolution [[1](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/10/09/world/israel-iran-lebanon-hezbollah)].
**Editor:** It sounds like that perspective could complicate diplomatic efforts. Reuters reported that many diplomats believe it will be nearly impossible to convince Lebanese factions to accept proposals that include such demands from Israel. What’s your view on this?
**Barrow:** Absolutely, I concur with that sentiment. The demands to retain military options could lead to greater tensions and distrust among Lebanese factions, making negotiations exceedingly difficult. For any approach to have a chance at success, it will require a shift in Israel’s stance, especially regarding military actions that threaten Lebanese sovereignty [[1](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/10/09/world/israel-iran-lebanon-hezbollah)].
**Editor:** You touched on international dynamics, mentioning the roles of France and the United States in facilitating peace talks. Can you elaborate on the challenges these nations are facing?
**Barrow:** Yes, the coordination between France and the U.S. has become increasingly complex. France’s initiatives lack the necessary support from the U.S., which is critical in convincing Israel to alter its approach. Moreover, the U.S. envoy to Lebanon, Amos Hochstein, has been focused on his own proposals, potentially diverging from a unified strategy that incorporates all stakeholder perspectives [[1](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/10/09/world/israel-iran-lebanon-hezbollah)].
**Editor:** Given the current hostilities, particularly with over 600,000 people displaced in Lebanon due to the ongoing conflict, what are the immediate steps that need to be taken to address the humanitarian crisis?
**Barrow:** The immediate focus should be on establishing a ceasefire that is respected by all parties. This requires a framework for dialog that can ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in need without political interference. The displacement of such a significant number of individuals creates urgent humanitarian needs that cannot be ignored in the pursuit of political objectives [[1](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/10/09/world/israel-iran-lebanon-hezbollah)].
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Mr. Barrow. It is clear that navigating these geopolitical tensions will require nuanced diplomacy and a keen understanding of the intricate dynamics at play.
**Barrow:** Thank you for having me. The situation remains fluid, and ongoing dialog among all parties will be crucial to finding a sustainable resolution.
