“Lebanon Debate”
While negotiations between Lebanon and Israel continue under American auspices in Washington, the field scene does not appear to be separate from the political track, but rather proceeds in parallel with it amid a remarkable military escalation on the ground, especially in southern Lebanon, and fiery messages continue between Israel and Hezbollah in an attempt to invest them in the negotiations, specifically from the Israeli side, which insists on negotiating under fire, and thus makes the ceasefire demand a priority for Lebanon in the negotiations.
In this context, writer and political analyst Ali Hamadeh confirmed to “Lebanon Debate” that the direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel under American sponsorship coincide with “extremely dangerous Israeli military operations,” noting that these operations may lead to “results of a strategic nature” at the level of the Israeli presence and occupation in southern Lebanon.
Hamadeh explained that the Israeli army is launching “severe strikes” on Ali Al-Taher Hill overlooking the city of Nabatieh, considering that it has become clear that the area includes “deep tunnels, weapons and missile stores, and platforms.” He added: “It is an underground military base, and the Israelis have been striking it for four years.”
He referred to circulating information about Israeli military movements in the vicinity of Beaufort Castle, pointing out that “there is talk of landing attempts,” considering that control of the castle, if it occurs, will give the Israelis firepower and direct supervision over the city of Nabatieh.
Hamadeh said that this development “reaffirms the unusual focus of the Israelis on Nabatieh,” citing the crossing of the Israeli forces north of the Litani and their arrival in Zawtar al-Sharqiya, about 8 kilometers from the city center.
He added that the battle in the vicinity of Beaufort “will be difficult and complicated,” considering that “the party has taken its measures and calculations,” and that Nabatieh carries great symbolism after the fall of Bint Jbeil and Khiam.
Regarding the negotiations, Hamadeh confirmed that “nothing serious was proposed that could be built upon,” and he was surprised by the talk of media leaks while “the sessions were not adjourned and no one came out to talk.”
He pointed out that the first phase of the meetings is of a general political nature, paving the way for a military technical phase in which officers from the Lebanese and Israeli armies participate.
He also revealed that the President of the Republic was in direct contact with the Lebanese negotiating delegation between sessions, which led to a delay in the resumption of meetings for about half an hour. Hamada also stopped at the joint lunch, which includes working sessions, describing it as contributing to breaking the ice and providing space to ease tension between delegations, and it is expected that this pattern will be repeated today, Friday, with a similar lunch between sessions.
Hamadeh concluded by noting that “the real evaluation of the negotiations will be after the end of the second phase,” considering that “the best scenarios may lead to a political framework agreement and a declaration of intent for a comprehensive security and political agreement.”
