Israel and Lebanon plan to begin border talks nearly four months after a ceasefire, involving negotiations facilitated by France and the US. Israel’s recent release of five Lebanese prisoners is seen as a gesture towards Lebanon’s new president, Joseph Aoun. The discussions aim for normalization, though both sides express differing views on this objective, leading to uncertainty about progress.
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to commence discussions regarding their disputed land border as soon as possible, nearly four months after a ceasefire concluded the latest conflict between them. On Tuesday, representatives from Israel, Lebanon, France, and the US announced the formation of working groups to negotiate critical issues including the border demarcation, the presence of Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, and the release of Lebanese detainees held in Israel.
In a significant development, Israel released five Lebanese detainees earlier this week, captured during the previous year’s conflict. This move was described by Jerusalem as a gesture toward the newly elected Lebanese President, Joseph Aoun. Currently, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) maintain control over five specific points in southern Lebanon, citing Hezbollah as a continuing threat to northern Israel. Hezbollah has countered these claims, alleging that Israel is breaching the ceasefire agreement by not withdrawing its troops and conducting irregular attacks.
Between the ceasefire on November 27 and mid-January, the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project recorded numerous military engagements, including airstrikes, shelling, and infrastructure destruction by Israel. The scope of the upcoming talks is still uncertain. A senior Israeli official mentioned that the objective is to attain normalization with Lebanon. In contrast, a US official warned that the ambitions for mutual recognition and normalization may undermine efforts to establish a clear border between the nations. The Lebanese government has rejected notions that these discussions could lead to permanent normalization of ties.
In conclusion, Israel and Lebanon are initiating border discussions following a recent ceasefire, involving four nations in the negotiations. Significant actions, such as Israel’s release of Lebanese detainees, highlight efforts toward dialogue. However, the goal of normalization remains controversial, with differing perspectives from both Israeli and Lebanese officials that could impact the success of delineating the border.
Original Source: www.gzeromedia.com
