ABNA24 - Despite the Israeli insistence on not accepting the ceasefire in Lebanon and continuing heavy attacks on south of the country, Beirut leaders have taken a way other than echoing the voice of their nation that calls for defense against the Israeli aggression.
The government of President Joseph Aoun, which has shown significant leniency towards the aggressive actions of the Israeli regime in recent months while, conversely, taking a hardline stance against Hezbollah, took a controversial step on Tuesday by holding the first round of direct negotiations with Tel Aviv representatives in Washington, mediated by the US Secretary of State Mark Rubio.
A joint statement released after the meeting declared this encounter as the first high-level contact between Israel and the Lebanese government since 1993. Participants engaged in constructive discussions regarding the necessary steps to initiate direct negotiations between the two sides. Washington lauded this development as a historic achievement and expressed support for the continuation of talks.
Furthermore, Washington voiced its backing for the Lebanese government’s plans to monopolize arms and end Iran’s extensive influence in the country, expressing hope that these discussions would extend beyond the 2024 agreement and culminate in a comprehensive peace accord.
Meanwhile, the Israeli regime called for disarming all of the militias in Lebanon, adding that the government should remove infrastructure what of it called "terrorists" in reference to Hezbollah and its allies that resist the Israeli occupation of Lebanon.
The Lebanese government, for its part, announced its emphasis on implementing the November 2024 deal with Israel and also on national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon. Beirut also called for Israeli regime to stop its attacks on Lebanon and for practical steps to deal with the extensive humanitarian crisis caused by extended clashes. At the end, both sides announced they will start direct talks at a time and place of their choice.
Talks with Israeli occupation "illegitimate"
The government of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is optimistic that these talks will put an end to the Israeli hostilities while many Lebanese citizens and parties, including Hezbollah, are strongly against diplomatic engagements with Israeli regime.
Nawaf al-Musawi, a prominent member of Hezbollah, stressed that talks with Tel Aviv in Washington lack the political legitimacy. He warned that the Israeli side will not offer anything while the Lebanese side has no pressure levers, adding that this meeting was a "historic mistake" and a free compromise to the regime.
Hassan Fadlallah, a member of Hezbollah’s Loyalty to Resistance parliamentary bloc, held that "the current Lebanese officials do not represent the people of this country and have failed to comprehend the youth’s resistance. Certain individuals seek to widen internal rifts and spread false rumors about the Battle of Bint Jbeil. Who is acting against the law? The resistance forces, or officials who have extended their hands towards an enemy stained with Lebanese blood and are seeking concessions?”
Also, the head of the Executive Body of the Amal Movement opposed any direct negotiations with the Israeli regime.
Hezbollah officials have recently warned that they do not rule out a scenario of government change under popular protest pressure. This comes after Hezbollah agreed to the formation of Nawaf Salam’s government last year, aiming to restore stability and tranquility to Lebanon. However, if Beirut’s officials align themselves with the enemy’s policies, a government collapse is not unforeseeable.
From the perspective of Hezbollah and the people, any negotiation with the Israeli regime is considered illegal and a precursor to compromise and normalization of relations with the enemy. Therefore, in the current climate of rising public anger towards Israel, normalizing relations would essentially legitimize Tel Aviv’s crimes in Lebanon. This would not only fail to compel the enemy to retreat but would embolden them further to continue their occupation. In line with this, some Israeli sources have claimed that the Israeli army intends to double its bases in southern Lebanon and solidify its presence in the region.
By arranging direct talks with Lebanon, the Israeli officials are trying to widen the gaps between Hezbollah and the government and implement their evil plans. If serious division emerges between Hezbollah and its allies with the government, the Israelis will find the ground prepared for warmongering in Lebanon.
If Lebanon sinks in civil war, the focus will be distracted from the borders and concentrate on the home sedition, and since resistance forces are protectors of security at home and on the borders, they will have to eliminate the home dangers first. So, the Israeli forces on the northern front will push to legitimize their aggression under the ruse of insecurity on the Israeli borders. This scenario is already implemented in southern Syria after fall of Bashar al-Assad, when Israelis occupied new territories under the excuse of rise to power of terrorists in Damascus.
Since the government of Netanyahu is aspring to form "Greater Israel", occupation of southern Lebanon is part of its agenda.
Israel is seeking to agitate a civil war to put popular strain on Hezbollah for the final goal of disarming. Currently, there is a kind of consensus between the Arab countries and Western powers for Hezbollah disarming and war provides the best opportunity to execute this evil plan.
Fruitless negotiations
Although Lebanese politicians are hopeful for an agreement with Israel and an end to the war, placing their faith in the hollow promises of the US as mediator, experience has shown that the Israeli enemy has not adhered to any ceasefire commitments. Compromise with this regime cannot save Lebanon from the clutches of a bloodthirsty foe.
Citing Israeli sources, Haaretz reported that Netanyahu is using negotiations with Lebanon as a tactic to buy time in confronting Hezbollah and to demonstrate goodwill to the US President Donald Trump. Therefore, the Israeli strategy is already clear: there is no will to end the conflict. Tel Aviv leaders, under the pretext of talks, are simultaneously continuing attacks and further occupation, aiming to force the Lebanese government to concede more to the enemy.
Beirut’s officials, particularly the president, are attempting to alleviate Tel Aviv’s security concerns under pressure from Saudi Arabia and the US, hoping for illusory aid. However, any concessions to Tel Aviv will not rescue Lebanon from its current predicament. Reconstruction promises from Washington are also a trap, designed to disarm Hezbollah and leave Lebanon defenseless against Israel. Trump’s plans have previously failed in Gaza; despite the formation of a peace council, no action has been taken for reconstruction or the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The Americans have proven they do not help any of regional countries in a way that tips the scales against Israeli interests, and Lebanon is no exception. Lebanon’s weakened and dilapidated army has received no significant aid from the US or other Western actors in recent decades. The White House leaders have deliberately prevented the establishment of a powerful army on the doorstep of occupied territories that could pose security threats to the Israeli regime.
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