Recent agreements at a quadrilateral meeting in Naqoura highlight a renewed spirit in Israel-Lebanon relations, following political changes in Lebanon. Israel and Lebanon have agreed to establish joint working groups to address military withdrawals, prisoner releases, and border demarcation, as both nations aim to sustain the ceasefire and counter Hezbollah’s influence.
Recent agreements from a quadrilateral meeting in Naqoura, involving representatives from Lebanon, Israel, the United States, and France, signify a new dynamic in Israel-Lebanon relations. This comes after political changes in Lebanon with the election of President Joseph Aoun and the new government led by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
The meeting concluded with the establishment of three joint working groups to address: 1) the withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from their remaining border control points; 2) the release of Lebanese prisoners held by the IDF; and 3) the settlement of disputes regarding the permanent border demarcation, outlined by the Blue Line from 2000.
In a goodwill gesture towards President Aoun, Israel agreed to release five of eleven Lebanese detainees in its custody. These issues mirror Hezbollah’s rationale for its existence as a military militia defending Lebanon against Israeli threats. Since the ceasefire, Hezbollah has concentrated on rebuilding its military capabilities while allowing Lebanon to progress on these issues, albeit with implicit threats of military action should Lebanon falter in its efforts.
The new leadership in Israel and Lebanon both recognize a mutual interest in sustaining the ceasefire and preventing a resurgence of Hezbollah, both militarily and politically. Therefore, any Israeli concessions address the Lebanese government’s internal struggle against Hezbollah. However, it’s critical for Israel to acknowledge the limitations of the Lebanese state, which has managed to avoid direct clashes with Hezbollah, and the Lebanese army’s limited capacity to impede Hezbollah’s military influence in southern Lebanon.
Consequently, Israel’s discussions in the working groups should focus primarily on territorial matters, prioritizing its security requirements. This involves differentiating between the practical withdrawal from positions acquired during the war and the more intricate task of permanent land border demarcation.
Israel’s strategy should include: conditioning IDF withdrawals on the Lebanese army’s full deployment and its commitment to eradicate any military presence in southern Lebanon, while maintaining the IDF’s operational freedom against threats from Hezbollah; and linking permanent border demarcation, which necessitates Israeli compromises, to a comprehensive agreement that demands Hezbollah’s complete disarmament and a revision of formal relations between Israel and Lebanon.
The recent quadrilateral meeting marks a pivotal moment in the relations between Israel and Lebanon, driven by new leadership and shared interests in maintaining peace. By focusing on military withdrawals and border disputes while acknowledging regional complexities, both nations can navigate their relationship moving forward. Ensuring Hezbollah’s disarmament remains essential in any comprehensive agreement to stabilize the region.
Original Source: aurora-israel.co.il
