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
**Interview with International Relations Expert Dr. Sarah Thompson on Recent Developments in Israeli-Lebanese Tensions**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Thompson. Following the parliamentary session remarks by Barrow about Israel’s military stance towards Lebanon, can you explain the significance of the Israeli demand to maintain the ability to launch strikes at any moment?
**Dr. Thompson:** Thank you for having me. This demand reflects a critical shift in Israel’s military posture, suggesting that the country is preparing for potential escalations in conflict. The insistence on this capability indicates a heightened level of concern regarding perceived threats from Lebanon, particularly from Hezbollah. This mirrors Israel’s historical approach towards its northern neighbour, but the implication of potentially recurring military operations is particularly concerning given the ongoing violence and the heavy toll it has taken on civilians in Lebanon, which recently surpassed 3,400 deaths due to Israeli military actions [[1](https://apnews.com/article/israel-hezbollah-lebanon-iran-ceasefire-beirut-41d19e05cebf73a66dc320ccad047d4d)].
**Interviewer:** Barrow also mentioned that persuading Lebanese factions to accept Israel’s demands would be quite challenging. Why is this?
**Dr. Thompson:** Indeed, many diplomats view this as nearly impossible. The Lebanese political landscape is complex, with various factions holding differing views on Israel. Many groups, particularly Hezbollah, view military action against Israel as a legitimate form of resistance. The idea of conceding ground to Israel, especially in the context of ongoing military operations, conflicts with their narrative and would likely be met with significant backlash domestically. Thus, any proposals that include maintaining Israeli military strikes are seen as non-starters in Lebanon.
**Interviewer:** Barrow highlighted the need for collaboration between France and the United States in brokering a ceasefire. What challenges do you see in this coordination?
**Dr. Thompson:** The complexity arises from differing national priorities and strategies. France may have its reasons for pushing specific initiatives, while the U.S. has its own geopolitical interests and historical influences in the region. As Barrow pointed out, without a solid understanding of Lebanon’s internal political dynamics, the U.S. may struggle to craft effective proposals. The outgoing U.S. administration’s focus on its own agenda may hinder collaborative efforts, especially when local stakeholders often have contrasting views on foreign involvement.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what impact do you foresee these developments having on the region moving forward?
**Dr. Thompson:** The outlook is quite daunting. If Israel maintains its aggressive posture and neglects to engage in meaningful dialog, we could see a further escalation of violence. The potential for a regional conflict looms, especially if Iranian influence in Lebanon is perceived as a direct threat to Israeli security. Thus, unless a diplomatic solution is reached that considers both the security concerns of Israel and the sovereignty of Lebanon, the cycle of violence is likely to continue, with dire consequences for civilians caught in the middle.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Thompson. This is an evolving situation and we appreciate your analysis.
**Dr. Thompson:** Thank you for having me; let’s hope for a peaceful resolution soon.
