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 Political Analyst on Recent Developments in Israel-Lebanon Relations**
**Interviewer:** Good morning and thank you for joining us. Today, we have with us Dr. Sarah Mandel, a political analyst specializing in Middle Eastern relations. Dr. Mandel, let’s dive into the recent statements made by Barrow regarding Israel’s position on potential military actions in Lebanon. What can you tell us about the implications of Israel’s insistence on retaining the ability to strike at any moment?
**Dr. Mandel:** Good morning! The remarks by Barrow highlight a significant anxiety within Israeli defense circles. The call to maintain a posture that allows for immediate military action against Lebanon—and by extension, against any perceived threats from groups like Hezbollah—suggests that Israel feels it must be prepared for any escalation in hostilities. This reflects an ongoing security concern, especially following recent escalations in the region [[1](https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-lebanon-gaza-iran-war-11-19-24/index.html)].
**Interviewer:** Reuters reported that many diplomats find it nearly impossible to convince Lebanon to accept proposals that include such military conditions. Why is this the case?
**Dr. Mandel:** The Lebanese internal landscape is quite complex, shaped by various factions with differing agendas. Many Lebanese groups, particularly Hezbollah, are unlikely to acquiesce to any demands that could compromise their sovereignty or military capabilities. The strong resistance stems from national pride and the longstanding grievances surrounding Israeli military actions in the region. Past experiences have shown that external pressure on Lebanon—especially from Israel—is met with significant opposition [[1](https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-lebanon-gaza-iran-war-11-19-24/index.html)].
**Interviewer:** Barrow also suggested that coordination between France and the U.S. is crucial for any diplomatic initiative concerning Lebanon. Can you elaborate on that?
**Dr. Mandel:** Absolutely. The dynamics between international players like France and the U.S. in the context of Lebanon are pivotal. While France has historically had a role in Lebanese affairs, its influence is somewhat limited without significant U.S. support. The U.S. has the leverage and relationships that can persuade Israel toward restraint or negotiations. In contrast, unilateral efforts by either country may fail due to a lack of comprehensive understanding of the nuanced political factions within Lebanon that could shape a ceasefire [[1](https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-lebanon-gaza-iran-war-11-19-24/index.html)].
**Interviewer:** So, what’s your outlook on the prospects for a peaceful resolution given these complexities?
**Dr. Mandel:** The path to peace is fraught with challenges. The fundamental mistrust between Israel and Lebanese factions, coupled with the current geopolitical climate, complicates efforts for dialog. Without a unified front from international mediators and genuine commitments from all parties involved to engage in constructive discussions, achieving a stable ceasefire or agreement seems distant. It’s critical for all stakeholders to foster an environment where dialog can happen rather than jump straight to conditions that may ignite further conflict [[1](https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-lebanon-gaza-iran-war-11-19-24/index.html)].
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Mandel, for your insights on this pressing issue. It’s clear that the situation remains delicate and requires careful navigation from all sides involved.
**Dr. Mandel:** Thank you for having me! Let’s hope for a peaceful resolution soon.
