France has offered Lebanon a formal plan aimed at halting the ongoing hostilities with Israel and addressing the contentious Lebanon-Israel border issues. This initiative requires the withdrawal of Hezbollah and similar factions by 10 kilometers away from the border.
The plan, notable for being the first documented proposal shared with Beirut amidst weeks of Western diplomatic efforts, was conveyed by French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne to leading Lebanese figures, including Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
Structured in three phases, the proposal outlines a 10-day period dedicated to de-escalation, leading up to discussions on border delineation. Leveraging its historical connections with Lebanon, France, which has around 20,000 nationals and 800 soldiers within the country under a UN peacekeeping mission, seeks to mediate this process.
Additionally, the proposal has been shared with both the Israeli government and Hezbollah, recommending a halt to all military actions, including Israeli air raids on Lebanon.
Amid concerns of an escalating conflict parallel to the war in Gaza, confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have persisted, marked by almost daily assaults on Israeli communities and military positions since October 8.
These clashes have led to civilian casualties in Israel and the deaths of IDF personnel and reservists, while Hezbollah has reported the loss of 193 of its members due to Israeli actions. Israel has issued warnings to Hezbollah to retreat from the northern border in compliance with UN Resolution 1701 to avoid further escalation.
This French initiative seeks to avert a broader conflict by facilitating negotiations on the Lebanon-Israel border demarcation. Nevertheless, Hezbollah has dismissed the idea of formal talks until the Gaza conflict concludes, citing solidarity with Hamas and reluctance to negotiate under current conditions.
The success of France's proposal hinges on Hezbollah's willingness to prioritize peace efforts over its affiliations and the ongoing conflict. Without a shift in Hezbollah's stance, reaching a ceasefire through diplomatic means remains uncertain.