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 mediate the tensions between Israel and Lebanon?
**Interview with Dr. Emily Barrow, Middle East Affairs Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Barrow. You’ve recently discussed some critical statements made by Israeli officials regarding the potential for military action against Lebanon. Can you explain what sparked this discussion?
**Dr. Barrow:** Thank you for having me. The conversation began following my visit to Israel, where I observed a notable increase in the rhetoric from Israeli officials. They have been expressing a desire to maintain the capability to launch strikes in Lebanon and even consider military invasions similar to those seen in Syria. This is a significant shift in tone, particularly given the complex political situation in Lebanon.
**Interviewer:** That does sound concerning. Reuters has reported that convincing Lebanese factions to accept these demands may be nearly impossible. What are the implications of that?
**Dr. Barrow:** Indeed, many diplomats believe that such demands from Israel may be a non-starter. Lebanon’s political landscape is fragmented, and any movement towards accepting these aggressive terms could provoke resistance from various local factions. This adds another layer of complexity to an already delicate situation, making peace initiatives even more challenging.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that international coordination is crucial in this scenario, specifically between France and the United States. Why is that?
**Dr. Barrow:** Well, the situation requires nuanced diplomacy. France cannot lead on its own without significant support and input from the United States, especially in convincing Israel to take a less aggressive stance. Additionally, the U.S. must have a clear understanding of the internal dynamics within Lebanon, which may be lacking if they act independently. The recent proposals presented by U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein indicate a focus on separate initiatives, which further complicates coordination for a ceasefire.
**Interviewer:** Has there been any official response from Israel regarding your statements and the situation on the ground?
**Dr. Barrow:** Not yet. However, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz did speak recently, indicating ongoing military readiness, which may suggest a confirmation of these sentiments rather than a rebuttal. It remains to be seen how Israel will respond to the growing international calls for a more diplomatic approach.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Barrow, for sharing your insights on this delicate situation. The next few weeks will certainly be critical in determining the trajectory of Israel-Lebanon relations.
**Dr. Barrow:** Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for a peaceful resolution amidst the challenges.
