Following the new Israeli massacre in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip and the significant setback in ceasefire negotiations, this negative development has increased the uncertainty regarding the dynamics on the southern front. This was particularly anticipated regarding an agreement in Gaza, which was hoped would translate into calm in southern Lebanon, as reported by the Kuwaiti newspaper "Al-Anbaa".
The hopes for a truce, based on information available to U.S. presidential envoy Amos Hochstein, prompted him to remain close to the region, traveling between Paris, France, and Athens, Greece. A well-informed Lebanese source with direct connections to the U.S. envoy stated that Hochstein's focus during his low-profile meetings was on the southern border and UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
The source added that Hochstein's recent meetings in Paris included significant discussions regarding the extension of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), as France has managed the proposal for the extension since 2006, based on requests usually submitted by Lebanon's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the United Nations Secretary-General. There was genuine concern from France regarding a proposal to shorten the extension period from one year to six months due to pressure from Israel.
The source continued that there is also a French fear of an Israeli military operation occurring concurrently with discussions on the UNIFIL extension, which would hinder the extension process and necessitate discussions of new tasks that go beyond the stipulations of Resolution 1701. However, the American side reassured that this will not happen, and pressure is ongoing to prevent the war from expanding, with involved countries working in alignment.
According to the source, based on information received from Paris, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati instructed Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Minister Abdullah Bou Habib to initiate diplomatic efforts in the key capitals to advocate for a routine extension of UNIFIL without any amendments to the extension decision, in response to Israeli pressure pushing matters in different directions.
The source revealed that parallel to this, Hochstein informed Presidents Nabih Berri and Najib Mikati that he would remain in Europe. If an announcement regarding a ceasefire agreement in Gaza were to occur, he would immediately return to Lebanon and start shuttle negotiations between Beirut and Tel Aviv about the land border and the full implementation of Resolution 1701.
The source confirmed that the events in Khan Younis may provide additional impetus for Arab and American negotiators to push forward for a ceasefire, as the alternative would be more massacres and heightened tension along the Lebanese front, delaying solutions for all outstanding issues due to the ongoing war, according to "Al-Anbaa".
