France’s military indicates good progress in Hezbollah’s disarmament in southern Lebanon. Challenges remain in documenting ceasefire violations due to ambiguities in the agreement. The situation is complicated by Lebanon’s accusations against Israel regarding breaches and a lack of military enforcement from the monitoring committee. The Lebanese army is under-resourced but critical for restoring order and trust in the region.
The French military reported that Hezbollah’s disarmament in southern Lebanon is progressing well, though it finds documenting ceasefire violations challenging due to ambiguous ceasefire terms. The ceasefire, arranged by the US and France, mandates Hezbollah to disarm south of the Litani River. French Brig Gen Guillaume Ponchin noted that different interpretations of the ceasefire’s geographical scope complicate the tracking of violations, as Lebanon accuses Israel of infringements, including recent casualties.
The oversight committee monitoring the ceasefire lacks military enforcement powers, relying instead on a separate UN mechanism to report violations to the UN Security Council. Brig Gen Ponchin explained that the complexity of determining a violation stems from differing interpretations of ceasefire agreements among involved parties. He emphasized the importance of facilitating the return of displaced Lebanese civilians to southern Lebanon with the support of the Lebanese military.
The recent military conflict resulted in over a million displaced individuals during a war that significantly weakened Hezbollah. The French military used detailed maps to outline zones of influence and indicated that evidence of Hezbollah’s withdrawal is recorded through various documentation methods. Additionally, Ponchin defined communication protocols within the committee, stating the necessity for effective interaction among the US, Lebanon, and Israel.
Despite initially agreeing to withdraw by January 26, Israel delayed its withdrawal deadline, citing security concerns, while Hezbollah’s disarmament progresses, albeit without exact percentages disclosed. Brig Gen Ponchin criticized public misconstructions regarding ceasefire dates, clarifying that the ceasefire remains open-ended, contingent on mutual denouncement. It is estimated that the Lebanese military will need about 10,000 soldiers to replace Hezbollah, although only 1,500 have been hired so far to help restore order.
Communication barriers persist between Lebanon and Israel due to their ongoing state of war; however, Brig Gen Ponchin has established contact points for necessary communication. France proposed replacing Israeli forces with UNIFIL peacekeepers, including French contributions, but this suggestion has yet to be embraced by Israel. The Lebanese military faces financial constraints, which may undermine its ability to maintain public trust during the gradual recovery and return of displaced populations.
The disarmament of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon is reportedly making good progress, but complications persist due to vague ceasefire terms and regional tensions. The oversight framework emphasizes communication and joint efforts but struggles with financial and logistical challenges, particularly for the Lebanese military. Ongoing Israeli military presence and misinterpretations of the ceasefire timelines could hinder stability and the safe return of displaced individuals.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
