Recent visits by French diplomatic, military, and security delegations to Lebanon and the occupation entity aimed to establish a framework for an agreement to settle the situation along the borders. Although both the French and American sides are well aware that an agreement is impossible before the cessation of hostilities in Gaza, the French confirmed that they received assurances from Washington that a truce in Gaza is imminent and will not be delayed until after the end of this month.
A Lebanese diplomatic source told "Al-Akhbar" that Lebanon received a security proposal from the French that requires extensive discussion, based on the essence of the April 1996 understanding not to target civilians from either side. This proposal includes measures on both sides of the border, not just from the Lebanese side. It appears that the French are trying, as usual, to seize a special role, relying on the fact that they are the almost sole Western party engaging in direct relations with Hezbollah. However, according to monitoring sources, the Israelis prefer to manage matters with the American side, which is capable of handling this issue as successfully as it did with the maritime border file, rather than delegating implementation to France. This aligns with what U.S. presidential envoy Amos Hochstein says, who does not oppose the actions of the French but does not consider them the basis for any solution or agreement.
In promoting its role on one hand and demonstrating support for the enemy's interests on the other, French diplomacy leaked information to "Le Monde" regarding the outlines of a diplomatic solution. The report indicated that France wants to separate the Lebanese issue from the situation in the Gaza Strip and has proposed rapid implementation of non-engagement measures. However, it noted that the failure of the Gaza truce complicates French and American efforts, as Hezbollah's condition to start negotiations is the cessation of hostilities in Gaza.
The newspaper indicated that the French Foreign Minister handed over the proposal to Lebanese officials last Tuesday, which had been discussed with Israel during a visit by representatives from the Foreign and Defense Ministries. The proposal includes measures to contribute to a gradual de-escalation and entails Hezbollah withdrawing its elements 8 to 10 kilometers from the border, a distance equal to the range of Hezbollah’s anti-tank missiles, in addition to withdrawing the Ridwaan force and not allowing Hezbollah to rebuild its bases and observation posts destroyed by the Israeli army since October 8. The newspaper mentioned that the issue of Hezbollah's missile arsenal is not up for discussion at this time. An Israeli official conveyed that Hezbollah's withdrawal of 8 to 10 kilometers could serve as a starting point. However, it did not mention the measures Israel is supposed to undertake on the other side, knowing that Hochstein's main proposal involves Israel withdrawing from ground points still occupied along the border from Naqoura to the village of Ghajar and dismantling Israeli military positions along the border with Lebanon, as well as Israel committing to cease all forms of land, sea, and air violations as stipulated by Resolution 1701.
On another note, the newspaper noted that France is working on a new program to support the Lebanese army in deploying additional forces along the border, citing the visit of French Army Chief Thierry Burkhard to Beirut last Friday. A diplomatic source stated that mediators are betting on Qatar funding the strengthening of the Lebanese army's capabilities, which will be discussed during a visit by Qatari Amir Tamim bin Hamad to Paris at the end of February. It is known that the French side discussed with military leadership the possibility of sending more than 10,000 soldiers to the border, but heard that there are no financial resources to carry out this mission.
Diplomatic messages continue to flow, conveying confirmations of the seriousness of Israeli threats to carry out a wide military operation in the south. However, informed sources confirmed that the Israelis are trying to take advantage of this period during which they are under strong American pressure to execute as many operations as possible, whether in Lebanon or Gaza, but ultimately they will have to accept a ceasefire and will not be able to initiate a war with Lebanon, indicating that the threats are merely aimed at improving the negotiation terms with Lebanon, and nothing more, according to what was stated in "An-Nahar."
