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
What are the key factors influencing Israel’s military posture towards Lebanon amidst current tensions?
**Interview with Diplomatic Analyst on Recent Developments in Israeli-Lebanese Relations**
**Host:** Welcome to our program. Today, we’ll be discussing the escalating tensions between Israel and Lebanon, particularly following statements made by UK parliamentary member Barrow regarding Israeli military strategies and diplomatic initiatives. Joining us is Dr. Miriam Cohen, a diplomatic analyst with expertise in Middle Eastern affairs. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Cohen.
**Dr. Cohen:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Let’s dive right in. Barrow emphasized that Israeli officials are expressing a desire to retain the ability to launch strikes or even invade Lebanon. What do you think is driving this rhetoric from Israel?
**Dr. Cohen:** The rhetoric seems to stem from Israel’s ongoing concerns about security threats emanating from Lebanon, particularly from Hezbollah. The current situation reflects a mindset influenced by recent military engagements and high casualty rates reported from Lebanon due to Israeli strikes—over 3,400 fatalities in recent months. Israeli officials likely feel a pressing need to reassert their military capabilities to deter any potential threats from across the border[[1](https://apnews.com/article/israel-hezbollah-lebanon-iran-ceasefire-beirut-41d19e05cebf73a66dc320ccad047d4d)].
**Host:** Interesting. Barrow also pointed out that convincing Lebanese factions to accept terms that include the right for Israel to strike at will will be a tough sell. Why is there such resistance from Lebanon?
**Dr. Cohen:** Lebanon’s political landscape is complex. The various factions, including Hezbollah, have deep-rooted opposition to any perceived encroachment on their sovereignty. Additionally, the historical legacy of conflict and the current humanitarian crises only add to the distrust. Many diplomats believe that any Israeli demand that undermines Lebanon’s autonomy will be met with fierce resistance[[1](https://apnews.com/article/israel-hezbollah-lebanon-iran-ceasefire-beirut-41d19e05cebf73a66dc320ccad047d4d)].
**Host:** Barrow also mentioned the coordination challenges between France and the U.S. in pushing for a ceasefire. Can you elaborate on why this cooperation is vital?
**Dr. Cohen:** Absolutely. France and the U.S. possess different historical ties and roles in the region. France has been involved in Lebanon for decades, but the U.S. holds significant influence over Israeli policy. For any peace initiative to be credible, it requires a unified front from these two major powers. Iraq, for instance, shows that unilateral actions often fail without the backing of both nations to stabilize the situation and reach a workable agreement[[1](https://apnews.com/article/israel-hezbollah-lebanon-iran-ceasefire-beirut-41d19e05cebf73a66dc320ccad047d4d)].
**Host:** Our audience would appreciate understanding the implications of these developments. What might the future hold for Israeli-Lebanese relations?
**Dr. Cohen:** The path ahead is fraught with challenges, primarily because of the lack of trust and the prevailing militaristic sentiments in Israel. If both sides cannot find common ground, the potential for continued conflict remains high. The international community’s role becomes even more critical in mediating and fostering dialog, but it requires concerted efforts, as Barrow noted[[1](https://apnews.com/article/israel-hezbollah-lebanon-iran-ceasefire-beirut-41d19e05cebf73a66dc320ccad047d4d)].
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Cohen, for your insights on this pressing issue. It’s clear that finding a resolution will require significant diplomatic effort and mutual concessions.
**Dr. Cohen:** Thank you for having me. The situation remains dynamic, and it will be important to watch how developments unfold.
**Host:** And thank you to our viewers for tuning in. We will continue to monitor this situation closely.
