France proposes Hezbollah withdrawal, border talks for Israel-Lebanon truce

According to a document obtained by Reuters, France has presented a written proposition to Beirut to cease hostilities with Israel and resolve the contentious Lebanon-Israel border dispute. The proposal suggests that armed groups, including Hezbollah's elite unit, withdraw 10 km (6 miles) from the border.

The objective of the plan is to halt the conflict between the Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel along the border. This situation has been ongoing alongside the Gaza war, raising concerns about a potentially catastrophic full-scale confrontation.

The document, which marks the initial written proposal amid weeks of Western mediation, was handed to top Lebanese officials including Prime Minister Najib Mikati by French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne last week, as indicated by four senior Lebanese and three French officials.

It aims to prevent a conflict escalation and advocates for a potential ceasefire under appropriate conditions. Furthermore, it envisions negotiations to delineate the disputed land border between Lebanon and Israel.

Hezbollah refuses to engage in formal de-escalation talks until the Gaza conflict ceases, a stance reiterated by a Hezbollah politician in response to inquiries. While certain details of similar mediation efforts led by U.S. Middle East envoy Amos Hochstein have been circulating, the complete details of the French proposal to Lebanon have not been previously disclosed.

The proposed three-step plan outlines a 10-day de-escalation process culminating in border negotiations. A French diplomatic source revealed that the proposal has been presented to the governments of Israel, Lebanon, and Hezbollah.

France, with significant historical ties to Lebanon, has 20,000 citizens and around 800 troops stationed in the country as part of a U.N. peacekeeping mission. French Foreign Minister Sejourne emphasized the importance of consolidating all initiatives and fostering peace through cooperation with the United States.

The plan suggests a cessation of military operations between Lebanese armed groups and Israel, including Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon. It also recommends the dismantling of facilities near the border and the withdrawal of combat forces, including Hezbollah's elite Radwan fighters, at least 10 km north of the border.

The Lebanese armed forces would be responsible for deploying up to 15,000 troops in the southern border region, a Hezbollah stronghold. However, Hezbollah's response to the proposal remains contingent on the cessation of aggression in Gaza.

Concerns have been raised in Beirut regarding certain aspects of the proposal, particularly the vague language regarding the dismantling of facilities near the border, which could potentially be exploited to target Hezbollah-affiliated civilian institutions.

The proposal's three-step approach mirrors previous ceasefire agreements between Hezbollah and Israel and U.N. Security Council resolution 1701 that concluded the 2006 conflict. It involves a phased cessation of military operations, the withdrawal of armed groups, and negotiations on border delineation with UNIFIL support.

Hezbollah has hinted at supporting state-led negotiations with Israel to settle border disputes favourably for Lebanon. However, financing for the Lebanese army remains a critical issue amid the country's severe financial crisis. The proposal calls for international assistance in equipping, training, and financing the Lebanese army and promoting socio-economic development in southern Lebanon.

फ़्रांस ने हिज़्बुल्लाह की वापसी, इज़राइल-लेबनान संघर्ष विराम के लिए सीमा वार्ता का प्रस्ताव रखा