- 09:30
Political sources reported that Lebanese officials have been repeatedly and directly informed by multiple parties that the only viable way to resolve the ongoing issues with Israel, including the withdrawal from occupied territories, an end to ongoing violations and the resolution of disputes along the Blue Line, is through direct negotiations with Israel. In return, Lebanon would be expected to honor its commitments under the recent ceasefire agreement and implement international resolutions 1559, 1680 and 1701, all of which ultimately aim at a single objective: the dismantling of Hezbollah's military infrastructure.
The political sources further suggested that direct talks between the two sides should not be restricted to military delegations. The Lebanese side is expected to include diplomatic officials and civilian representatives, thereby elevating the discussions beyond the scope of purely military negotiations, while still stopping short of full normalization talks.
In this regard, well-informed sources outlined that Lebanon could follow the Qatari model in its dealings with Israel, where relations between the two countries are confined to discussions on key issues, without agreements on normalization or peace. Under this model, there are no embassies or liaison offices, and this arrangement could persist for many years.
The sources cautioned that Lebanon’s failure to take such a step could lead to Israel intensifying its strikes against Lebanese territory by targeting Hezbollah's military personnel and infrastructure. The intensity of these attacks may vary, depending on Israeli strategy, while the looming threat of a full-scale war against Lebanon remains a significant concern.
On the other hand, according to sources, Lebanese officials remain reluctant to take any steps that could be interpreted as normalization with Israel, given Hezbollah’s continued ability to disrupt Lebanon’s internal stability and escalate tensions on the ground. These sources emphasized that Lebanon remains steadfast in its commitment to indirect military talks with Israel and is prepared to adhere to the ceasefire agreement and international resolutions and to return to the armistice agreement—an essential step toward long-term stability and a lasting resolution between Lebanon and Israel.
The sources further stressed that Israel must take meaningful steps to enable the Lebanese government to move forward with implementing the ceasefire terms and relevant international resolutions, beginning with the issue of Hezbollah’s weapons. According to them, the most significant step in this context would be a full Israeli withdrawal from all remaining occupied Lebanese territory, which would strengthen the Lebanese state’s position in confronting Hezbollah.
Additionally, the sources revealed that the United States and Israel are working to narrow the gap between the two sides and are actively exploring steps toward withdrawal, viewing it as serving the interests of both countries.
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