New Dynamics in Israel-Lebanon Relations: Opportunities and Challenges

The quadrilateral meeting in Naqoura marks a new phase in Israel-Lebanon relations, following political changes in Lebanon. Joint working groups will tackle issues such as IDF withdrawal, prisoner releases, and border demarcation. Israel’s concessions could assist Lebanese leadership against Hezbollah, but security interests must remain paramount in any agreements reached.

The recent quadrilateral meeting in Naqoura, attended by representatives from Lebanon, Israel, the United States, and France, signifies a pivotal shift in relations between Israel and Lebanon. This development coincides with political changes in Lebanon, marked by the election of President Joseph Aoun and the establishment of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s new government.

During this meeting, three collaborative working groups were established to address key issues: (1) the withdrawal of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from five remaining control points along the border; (2) the release of Lebanese prisoners held by the IDF; and (3) the contentious matters surrounding the permanent border demarcation as defined by the Blue Line in 2000.

As a sign of goodwill towards President Aoun, Israel consented to release five of the eleven Lebanese detainees currently in its custody. These topics are notably echoed by Hezbollah, which argues that they justify its existence as a military entity necessary for Lebanon’s defense against Israel. Following the ceasefire, Hezbollah has concentrated on regaining its military strength while cautiously allowing the Lebanese state to pursue solutions.

Both Israel and Lebanon’s new leadership recognize the mutual interest in sustaining peace and curtailing Hezbollah’s influence both militarily and politically. For Lebanon’s leadership, achieving concessions from Israel can bolster their stance against Hezbollah. However, Israel must remain acutely aware of the Lebanese state’s limitations, particularly its challenge in restraining Hezbollah’s military presence.

In light of these dynamics, it is imperative for Israel to steer discussions within the working groups towards territorial matters, prioritizing its security interests. There is a need to differentiate between the immediate withdrawal from conflict-held territories and the more intricate issue of permanent border delineation. Israel must make the IDF’s withdrawal conditional upon the Lebanese army’s full deployment and its willingness to eliminate Hezbollah’s military presence in southern Lebanon.

Moreover, any agreement on the permanent land border should require that it be part of a wider accord, demanding Hezbollah’s complete disarmament and formalizing relations between Israel and Lebanon.

The recent discussions between Israel and Lebanon, highlighted by the Naqoura meeting, present an opportunity for improved relations following significant leadership changes in Lebanon. The establishment of joint working groups to address critical issues such as territorial withdrawals and prisoner releases reflects a collaborative spirit. While mutual interests in maintaining the ceasefire are evident, Israel must ensure that its security concerns remain a priority in any agreements made with Lebanon, particularly concerning Hezbollah’s military presence.

Original Source: aurora-israel.co.il