Hezbollah Rejects French Initiative to Reduce Tensions in the Middle East: What This Means for the Future of the Region

According to sources from Keshet TV and Mako, the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah has rejected the “French initiative” proposed by Paris, which included 12 points aimed at reducing tensions in the region. One of these points involved moving the Raduan unit 10 km away from the border with Israel, but Hezbollah argued that this would be impossible as the unit comprises residents of villages in southern Lebanon.

The rejection of this proposal was communicated in writing to intermediaries. Hezbollah also opposed increasing the number of UNIFIL troops and granting them freedom of action south of the Litani River, as well as the construction of observation towers manned by Lebanese army personnel along the border with Israel. Additionally, Hezbollah declined a proposal to create an international committee to monitor the security zone previously controlled by Israel.

On April 30, Foreign Minister Israel Katz met with his French counterpart Stéphane Sejournet to discuss the Paris initiative and expressed doubts about its viability. Katz believed that addressing Iran was necessary for de-escalating tensions in the region rather than focusing solely on Hezbollah and Lebanon.

Defense Minister Yoav Galant emphasized during a visit to northern Israel on May 8 that it was crucial for IDF soldiers to prepare for a potentially challenging summer in the region. The upcoming months could be tumultuous, he warned, highlighting the need for military readiness.