Amid field escalation on the southern front indicating a deterioration of the situation, senior parliamentary sources confirmed to "Nidaa al-Watan" that U.S. envoy Amos Hookstein will arrive in Beirut for a visit that has not been prepared in advance. This visit seems to align with the meetings held at the Élysée Palace last Friday to follow up on the Lebanese file. Additionally, it comes against the backdrop of continued efforts by French President Emmanuel Macron to spare Lebanon from a broader war.
In this context, Macron assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday that he aims to avoid a worsening situation in the Middle East, reiterating his commitment to tighten measures against Iran's destabilizing actions, according to the French presidency. A statement from the Élysée after a phone call between Macron and Netanyahu emphasized France's efforts, in coordination with its international partners, to de-escalate tensions along the blue line between Israel and Lebanon.
Regarding Hookstein's anticipated visit, diplomatic sources indicated that it is in harmony with the French initiative. The U.S. mediator has proposals that could help alleviate southern tensions, including settling outstanding points regarding the land demarcation between Lebanon and Israel.
These sources informed "Nidaa al-Watan" that the Paris meetings between the French president, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and Army Commander General Joseph Aoun are viewed as last-chance meetings. They stated that Paris seeks a settlement that avoids war for Lebanon through UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army, which is an integral part of Resolution 1701.
They clarified that France would not have undertaken this initiative without receiving information that Israel is determined to enter Rafah, and also its resolve to address the Lebanese issue concerning the border area, where Hezbollah's weaponry should be moved 10 kilometers away from the border in the initial phase. The same sources expressed caution in their predictions due to the settlement's ties to Iran's position, and consequently, the party that links a ceasefire in the south to the end of the Gaza war, according to "Nidaa al-Watan."
