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 might coordinated efforts between France and the U.S. influence the outcome of Israeli military actions in Lebanon?
**Interview with Middle East Affairs Expert, Dr. Rachel Cohen**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Cohen. We’ve just seen some significant statements from Barrow regarding Israeli military strategy toward Lebanon. Can you provide us with some context around this?
**Dr. Cohen:** Thank you for having me. The recent comments made by Barrow following his discussions in Israel highlight a growing tension regarding Israel’s military posture. He noted that there are increasingly vocal demands within Israel to maintain the capability to strike Lebanon at any time, reminiscent of its approaches toward Syria. This reflects a broader concern in Israel regarding its security situation and the influence of Hezbollah, which has been a persistent threat along its northern border [[1](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9vp7dg3ml1o)].
**Editor:** Interesting. Reuters also reported that many diplomats believe convincing Lebanon’s factions to accept these military conditions will be nearly impossible. Why might that be?
**Dr. Cohen:** Exactly. The Lebanese political landscape is quite fragmented, and many factions are deeply opposed to any form of external pressure, especially from Israel or its allies. Both historical grievances and current geopolitical realities create a very complicated atmosphere. The fear of escalation and the desire to maintain sovereignty mean that any proposal that acknowledges military action would likely be met with resistance [[1](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9vp7dg3ml1o)].
**Editor:** Barrow also mentioned the need for coordinated efforts between France and the U.S. in influencing Israel, suggesting that unilateral actions would be ineffective. How does this coordination play into the current negotiations?
**Dr. Cohen:** Coordination is crucial here. Barrow’s statements point to the intricate nature of diplomacy in the region. France has historical ties and a vested interest in Lebanon’s stability, but without the U.S. backing to sway Israeli leadership, its influence can be limited. On the other hand, the U.S. needs a nuanced understanding of Lebanon’s internal dynamics, which can often be overlooked. As the situation evolves, effective communication and joint strategies will be indispensable to navigate these waters [[1](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9vp7dg3ml1o)].
**Editor:** Lastly, do you think there will be a shift in the U.S. administration’s approach based on these developments, especially with the outgoing administration’s envoy Amos Hochstein focusing on his proposals?
**Dr. Cohen:** That’s a pertinent question. The outgoing administration’s focus on its own initiatives may indeed complicate collaborative efforts. If there’s a shift towards a more fragmented approach, it could lead to missed opportunities for a unified strategy. The incoming administration might bring fresh perspectives or reinforce existing dynamics, but for now, the complexity of this situation suggests that careful synchronization will be necessary to improve chances for a ceasefire and a more stable peace [[1](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9vp7dg3ml1o)].
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Cohen, for your insights on these critical developments in the region. Your expertise sheds valuable light on these complex issues.
**Dr. Cohen:** It’s my pleasure; thank you for having me!
