US and France Pursue 1996-Style Agreement for Lebanon-Israel

U.S. diplomat Amos Hochstein is expected to visit Lebanon soon, following his recent trip to Paris where he discussed the situation in southern Lebanon and potential political resolutions.

In Paris, the French government proposed to Hochstein the creation of a four-nation committee. This committee, consisting of the U.S., France, Israel, and Lebanon, would aim to negotiate and resolve ongoing disputes, as reported by Kuwait’s al-Jarida newspaper.

This idea is inspired by the April 1996 Understanding, which concluded the Grapes of Wrath War between Israel and Hezbollah. Previously, the committee included Syria alongside the four nations mentioned; however, the new proposal suggests replacing Damascus with another Arab country.

Hochstein has requested the French authorities to draft a detailed written plan of this proposal for further discussion, a task currently underway according to al-Jarida.

One suggestion involves the international committee establishing offices in Tyre, Lebanon, and Nahariya, Israel, to oversee any ceasefire agreements between Hezbollah and the Israeli army. Additionally, this committee would facilitate discussions on defining the land border between Lebanon and Israel.

The Lebanese-Israeli border has seen daily exchanges of fire between the Israeli army and Hezbollah since the war between Hamas and Israel began on October 7. Over 200 people have died in south Lebanon, with 151 of them being members of Hezbollah. Israeli sources report 15 fatalities on their northern border, including nine soldiers and six civilians.

The conflict has led to the displacement of tens of thousands from both sides of the border. Israel has expressed readiness to use military force to secure the return of its settlers to their homes.