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 Diplomatic Analyst Sarah Lawson on Recent Tensions in Israel-Lebanon Relations**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Sarah. Let’s dive right into the recent comments made by Barrow following his meetings in Israel. He mentioned that Israeli officials are suggesting the need to maintain the capability to launch strikes and potentially invade Lebanon. What do you make of this statement?
**Sarah Lawson:** Thank you for having me. Barrow’s remarks highlight a significant and escalating tension in the region. The Israeli defense strategy seems increasingly aggressive, as they feel the need to proactively manage threats emanating from Lebanon, particularly from groups like Hezbollah. Such statements indicate that Israel is considering its military options more openly, which could further destabilize the already fragile relationship with Lebanon.
**Interviewer:** Right. Reuters reported that many diplomats believe convincing Lebanese factions to agree to such proposals will be nearly impossible. Why is that?
**Sarah Lawson:** That’s quite correct. The internal political landscape in Lebanon is complex and deeply fragmented. Various factions have their own agendas, and many Lebanese citizens view any foreign military action, particularly from Israel, as a violation of their sovereignty. Therefore, any proposal that implies military incursions or strikes would likely meet with staunch opposition from multiple sides within Lebanon.
**Interviewer:** Barrow also mentioned the need for coordinated efforts between France and the United States to manage the situation. Why is coordination essential in this context?
**Sarah Lawson:** Coordination is crucial because both France and the U.S. have historically played significant roles in Lebanese politics and diplomacy. However, each country has a different approach and understanding of the situation. For effective diplomatic engagement, there must be a united front, particularly to persuade Israel while also addressing the concerns of Lebanese factions. Without a joint strategy, efforts to broker peace or manage ceasefire initiatives could falter.
**Interviewer:** There’s also mention of the U.S. envoy, Amos Hochstein, focusing on his own proposals. How does this complicate the situation?
**Sarah Lawson:** When diplomatic efforts become fragmented, it leads to confusion and lack of cohesion in negotiations. Hochstein’s individual proposals might align more closely with U.S. interests rather than being tailored to the unique dynamics of the Lebanese context. This can result in missed opportunities for consensus-building, which is essential for any kind of resolution in a conflict-prone area.
**Interviewer:** To wrap up, with the increasing rhetoric and military readiness from Israel, what do you foresee for the future of Israel-Lebanon relations?
**Sarah Lawson:** If the current trend continues, we may see a deterioration of relations that could escalate into more serious military confrontations. The rhetoric, combined with Israel’s operational preparedness, suggests they might act on perceived threats more swiftly. Meanwhile, diplomatic channels must remain open to mitigate these tensions, but that will require significant collaboration among international stakeholders.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Sarah, for your insights on this complex issue. It’s clear that the situation remains highly precarious, and developments in the coming days will be crucial.
**Sarah Lawson:** Thank you for having me. It’s certainly a situation to watch closely.