US floats idea of backing Lebanese Army in the south

Washington is reportedly interested in supporting a “comprehensive military structure” in south Lebanon for the foreseeable future, once a resolution to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is achieved, according to what Al-Arabiya’s Al-Hadath channel has reported from sources.

These sources have indicated a joint American-European willingness to provide financial aid to the Lebanese Army, contingent on the formulation of an all-encompassing plan. However, it was mentioned that Paris and Washington are not aligned in their approaches towards south Lebanon, with the United States reportedly expressing its limitations in averting a conflict.

Recent days have seen a reduction in the border tensions between Hezbollah and Israel, coinciding with Ramadan. This lull comes as international efforts are underway to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, though it remains uncertain if such an agreement would extend to Lebanon.

While Hezbollah has committed to adhering to a Gaza ceasefire, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has stated Israel’s intent to intensify actions against Hezbollah regardless of any ceasefire in Gaza.

The conflict in Gaza, which began in October, has led to almost daily confrontations along the Lebanon-Israel border, with international mediators working to prevent a wider conflict in Lebanon.

According to an AFP tally, the violence has resulted in the death of at least 322 individuals in Lebanon, predominantly Hezbollah combatants, alongside 56 civilians. On the Israeli side, the conflict has claimed the lives of at least 10 soldiers and seven civilians.