Israel and Lebanon to Commence Negotiations on Land Border

Israel and Lebanon will begin negotiations to define their land border, aided by US and French involvement. Three working groups are planned to address key issues. Israel will release five Lebanese detainees as a goodwill gesture. Military tensions continue despite diplomatic advances, as Israel targets Hezbollah operatives.

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to initiate negotiations concerning the demarcation of their land border, as reported by the Prime Minister’s Office after a meeting involving the US and France at the UN peacekeeping force headquarters in Naqoura, Lebanon. The negotiations will encompass the establishment of three joint working groups that are set to commence next month, focusing on critical issues including disputed border points and Lebanese individuals detained by Israel.

As part of this diplomatic initiative, Israel has consented to release five Lebanese detainees, a gesture towards new Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, with coordination from the United States. In a related development, Lebanon announced the return of four Lebanese nationals from Israel, with an additional detainee expected to be released shortly.

The ongoing negotiations follow previous maritime boundary talks, which occurred during Yair Lapid’s premiership, yet an official land border agreement has not been established. A truce enacted last November has ceased hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, initially ignited by Hezbollah’s support of Hamas during the recent conflict that involved substantial attacks across the region.

US Deputy Presidential Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus affirmed the commitment of all parties to maintain the ceasefire and emphasized the importance of the forthcoming working groups in resolving existing issues. Nonetheless, Israel has continued targeted operations against Hezbollah, with a recent drone strike resulting in the death of a high-ranking Hezbollah commander, signaling ongoing tensions despite diplomatic efforts.

The Israeli Defense Forces conducted additional strikes against Hezbollah operatives deemed a threat, indicating a persistent military focus on mitigating risks associated with the Iran-backed group, despite the progress in diplomatic discussions.

In conclusion, Israel and Lebanon’s agreement to negotiate their land border represents a critical step forward in regional diplomacy. The discussions, which will involve multiple working groups, aim to address several contentious issues. Though the ceasefire has provided some respite, military actions against Hezbollah indicate underlying tensions. The outcome of these negotiations will be pivotal for future relations between the two nations.

Original Source: vinnews.com