A government official revealed to the Kuwaiti newspaper "Al-Anbaa" that there is significant optimism about reaching a solution that would prevent a wide-scale war in Lebanon, in light of the support front for Gaza launched by Hezbollah against Israel from southern Lebanon on October 8, 2023, following the "Al-Aqsa Flood" operation carried out by Hamas in the Gaza envelope settlement. The official did not wish to provide further details but praised the patience of caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati in addressing all the contentious issues simultaneously. He questioned what might have happened at this stage had the government resigned from its duties.
The official's optimism was reflected in semi-direct external communications with Hezbollah and in the Lebanese government's commitment to providing guarantees in areas where Hezbollah's presence is not desired south of the Litani River. High-level sources disclosed to "Al-Anbaa" that these communications did not include official Lebanese military authorities, although the military leadership, particularly the army, expressed its readiness to undertake any required role in the upcoming phase, similar to its actions from August 2006 until October 7 of last year, which resulted in an 18-year period of stability.
A senior former officer noted that Israel would continue to conduct assassination operations whenever the opportunity arose, understanding that such actions would not be feasible once a ceasefire agreement in Gaza is reached, along with special arrangements with Lebanon. The former officer refrained from confirming regarding the separation of the Lebanese support front from the war in Gaza, while pointing to differing arrangements for the following day in both Gaza and southern Lebanon. He emphasized the need to restrict Israeli warplane movements in Lebanese airspace going forward, distinguishing between an international offer regarding that and Lebanon's insistence on not allowing breaches of its airspace, as well as committing Israel to the provisions of Resolution 1701.
In parallel, communications aimed at de-escalating tensions across various fronts, especially in Lebanon, are intensifying, in an effort to keep the situation from flaring up and avoid any response that could lead to an explosion, ahead of the scheduled meeting about the ceasefire in Gaza next Thursday, which will involve high-level negotiating countries. Lebanese authorities have shown significant responsiveness to international communications as a gesture of goodwill to cooperate with efforts to cool the Lebanese front in preparation for an eventual settlement, should an agreement or progress in the ceasefire negotiations occur.
An informed source told "Al-Anbaa": Amid public communications at the highest regional and international levels for calming the situation and providing guarantees for a resolution, these communications served as warnings cloaked in advice, urging cooperation with international initiatives and avoiding responses that could lead to uncalculated outcomes. The source added: The advice cautioned against giving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the opportunity to embark on a venture that could drag the West into an undesirable war, taking advantage of the military buildup in the region and the Western countries' reluctance to confront Israel alone on multiple fronts.
