France is looking to play peacemaker between Israel and Hezbollah as France’s foreign minister Stephane Sejourne visits Lebanon on Sunday, where he will propose a roadmap to de-escalate tensions. While it is not clear what will be in the current roadmap, experts believe that it is likely that Paris will propose something similar to what it had earlier this year. In February, France submitted a written proposal to Beirut where it stated Hezbollah would withdraw 10 km (6 miles) from the border in exchange for an end to Israeli hostilities. The plan ultimately will work towards creating a permanent land border between Lebanon and Israel.
Hezbollah which has continued to exchange tit-for-tat strikes with Israel, has so far made it clear they will entertain no provisions for a land border till the Gaza war is concluded. The group is considered the most powerful militia in the Middle East and according to a Bloomberg report, they have 150,000 missiles and rockets enough to target any town or city in Israel. Many believe an escalation in war on this front especially after the direct attack by Iran on Israel could lead to a regional war in the Middle East.
“The objective is to prevent a regional conflagration and avoid that the situation deteriorates even more on the border between Israel and Lebanon,” France’s foreign ministry deputy spokesperson Christophe Lemoine said at a news conference.
Israel also wants to ensure calm is restored on its northern border so that thousands of displaced Israelis can return to the area without fear of rocket attacks from across the border. According to the Jerusalem Post over 125,000 Israelis who live near the border with Lebanon have been evacuated from their homes since the start of the war.
France’s proposal, which has been discussed with partners, notably the United States, has not moved forward, but Paris wants to keep momentum in talks and underscore to Lebanese officials that Israeli threats of a military operation in southern Lebanon should be taken seriously.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Nikati and Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun had met with French President Emmanuel Macron earlier this month, where they discussed the French proposal. In a letter addressed to the French embassy in Beirut in March, Lebanon’s foreign ministry said Beirut believed the French initiative would be a significant step towards peace and security in Lebanon and the broader region.
(With inputs from Reuters)
