Hezbollah Rejects French Initiative to Ease Tensions in Lebanon, Citing Resident Concerns
According to reports from the Keshet TV channel and Mako website, Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shiite group, has rejected the French initiative. The rejection was delivered in writing to intermediaries. Hezbollah argued that the Raduan unit comprises residents of villages in southern Lebanon and it would be impossible to prohibit them from being in the area.
In addition to rejecting the proposed relocation of the Raduan unit, Hezbollah also opposed increasing the number of UNIFIL troops and granting them freedom of action south of the Litani River. The group also rejected the construction of observation towers manned by Lebanese army personnel along the border with Israel. Furthermore, Hezbollah declined a proposal to create an international committee to monitor the security zone previously controlled by Israel.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz met with his French counterpart Stéphane Sejournet on April 30 to discuss the Paris initiative and expressed doubts about its viability. Katz believed that to de-escalate tensions in the region, it was necessary to address Iran rather than focusing solely on Hezbollah and Lebanon.
Defense Minister Yoav Galant, during a visit to northern Israel on May 8, met with IDF soldiers and emphasized the need to prepare for a potentially challenging summer. He warned that the upcoming months could be tumultuous in the region.
