Undisclosed negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, sponsored by the United States, have reportedly made substantial progress, a well-informed source told Nidaa al-Watan.
According to the source, the talks are being led by a senior Lebanese figure and are based on reciprocal trade-offs. Lebanon is pressing Israel to show flexibility regarding positions it occupies in southern Lebanon, the source said.
The ongoing negotiations are also believed to have influenced Hezbollah’s approach to recent Cabinet discussions on weapons. The source explained that the group allowed the session to proceed without escalation because internal conflict could have jeopardized the negotiation track and undermined the broader bargaining framework.
Washington, which is backing the talks, is reportedly guided by two core principles: preserving Lebanon’s unity and ensuring Israel’s security.
Phased Plan for Withdrawal and Weapons Storage
The source described a phased arrangement under which the United States would secure Israel’s withdrawal from one or two contested points in southern Lebanon. In exchange, Lebanon would place Hezbollah’s weapons into storage.
“Storage,” the source clarified, would involve depots coordinated between the Lebanese Army and Hezbollah, effectively freezing the conflict for an extended period. During this time, Hezbollah would commit to refraining from attacks against Israel. Over time, the stored weapons would become obsolete, while Washington would ensure Israel withdraws in a step-by-step process.
The arrangement is intended to allow both Hezbollah and Israel to monitor each other’s behavior, give Lebanon space to pursue economic recovery, and enable the United States to guarantee Israel’s security without concern over renewed hostilities from Hezbollah.
Reasons Behind Hezbollah’s Shift
The source attributed Hezbollah’s sudden shift from a previously hardline stance to several decisive factors. Iran’s leadership is under intense U.S. pressure, Hezbollah’s domestic room for maneuver has narrowed, its political base does not want another war, and the group’s military capacity is limited, both in launching a new conflict and defending itself on equal footing.
Hezbollah spent the 18 years between the 2006 war and the recent conflict building up its arsenal, while Israel steadily strengthened its strategic capabilities. As a result, the source said, Iran and Hezbollah’s military infrastructure has been outmatched by Israel’s technological and intelligence superiority.
If Iran ultimately makes major concessions, the source concluded, the most Hezbollah may be able to do is place its weapons in storage.
Reconstruction Remains Uncertain
The source emphasized that reconstruction is an urgent issue but has not yet been integrated into the broader negotiation framework, leaving its fate uncertain and dependent on future developments.
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