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 diplomatic efforts be better coordinated to address the complexities of the conflict in Lebanon, particularly with respect to proposals from multiple nations?
**Interview with Foreign Affairs Expert, Dr. Emily Rivers**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Rivers. Following the recent statements made by Barrow about the situation in Lebanon, what are your thoughts on the Israeli officials’ insistence on maintaining the ability to launch strikes at any moment?
**Dr. Rivers**: Thank you for having me. Barrow’s remarks highlight a critical aspect of the current geopolitical landscape. Israel’s position is increasingly aggressive, particularly concerning Lebanon. The notion that they want the ability to strike whenever deemed necessary is rooted in their security concerns, especially given the ongoing tensions with Hezbollah. However, it’s a precarious stance, as it complicates any potential for peace negotiations [[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/live-updates-israel-hezbollah-lebanon-cease-fire-strikes-rcna172793)].
**Interviewer**: Exactly. Reuters pointed out that many diplomats think it will be nearly impossible to convince Lebanese factions to accept a situation where this condition exists. Why is that?
**Dr. Rivers**: Lebanese factions, particularly Hezbollah, would view such a demand as a direct threat to their sovereignty and security. They are unlikely to acquiesce to terms that effectively leave them vulnerable to Israeli military actions. This dynamic creates a major hurdle for any diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving stability or a ceasefire in the region [[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/live-updates-israel-hezbollah-lebanon-cease-fire-strikes-rcna172793)].
**Interviewer**: Barrow emphasized the need for coordinated efforts between the U.S. and France for any initiatives regarding Lebanon. How essential do you think U.S. involvement is in this situation?
**Dr. Rivers**: U.S. involvement is pivotal. The U.S. has historically been a key player in Middle Eastern diplomacy, and without its backing, any initiative risks being ineffective. Barrow suggests that France on its own cannot convince Israel, and he’s correct. Any sustainable resolution will require both the U.S. and France to present a unified front and fully understand the internal dynamics at play in Lebanon [[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/live-updates-israel-hezbollah-lebanon-cease-fire-strikes-rcna172793)].
**Interviewer**: The coordination process seems to be getting more complicated with various proposals surfacing. How do you see this affecting the chances of a ceasefire?
**Dr. Rivers**: With the U.S. envoy, Amos Hochstein, focusing on his own proposals, it risks fragmenting the diplomatic efforts further. A lack of a cohesive strategy among key players can lead to confusion and a failure to address the root causes of the conflict. For a ceasefire to be viable, there needs to be alignment in the proposals being offered. Otherwise, it could result in more chaos and continued violence [[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/live-updates-israel-hezbollah-lebanon-cease-fire-strikes-rcna172793)].
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Dr. Rivers, for your insights. As this situation develops, it will be critical to watch how these diplomatic efforts unfold, especially with the stakes so high in the region.
**Dr. Rivers**: Indeed, and thank you for having me. It’s an evolving situation that requires careful monitoring.
