Israeli Media: 'Naqoura' Meeting to Discuss Preventing Renewal of War Between Israel and Lebanon
Israel raises its representation in Naqoura negotiations with Lebanon to discuss preventing the renewal of war.
SUMMARY
Israel announced it is raising its level of representation in the Naqoura negotiations with Lebanon, where the Deputy Head of the Israeli National Security Council will participate in the second direct meeting between the two sides to discuss economic cooperation and preventing the renewal of war. In Paris, a meeting attended by the Lebanese Army Commander discussed providing the ceasefire monitoring committee with practical means to verify progress in disarming Hezbollah, with an agreement to hold an international conference to support the Lebanese army. Israel launched airstrikes on southern Lebanon during the meeting, accusing Hezbollah of rebuilding its capabilities.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Israel raises its level of representation in Naqoura negotiations with Lebanon.
- The second meeting between the two sides focuses on economic cooperation and preventing the renewal of war.
- Paris meeting discusses providing the ceasefire monitoring committee with practical means.
- Agreement reached to hold an international conference to support the Lebanese army in February.
- Israel launches airstrikes on southern Lebanon accusing Hezbollah of rebuilding its capabilities.
CORE SUBJECT
Naqoura negotiations between Israel and Lebanon to prevent renewal of war
Israeli Channel 12 reported on Thursday that Israel will raise its level of representation in negotiations with Lebanon. The channel added that Yossi Drizinan, Deputy Head of the Israeli National Security Council, will participate in the Naqoura meeting scheduled for Friday. The Lebanese side will be represented by Ambassador Simon Karam, while Morgan Ortagus will represent the American side. The channel pointed out that the meeting, which is the second official direct meeting between the two sides, will address economic cooperation on the border, while unofficially it will discuss efforts to prevent the renewal of war. Paris hosted a meeting on Thursday attended by Lebanese Army Commander Rudolf Heikal, during which they discussed providing the ceasefire monitoring committee with "practical means" to verify progress in disarming Hezbollah, according to the French Foreign Ministry. The "Mechanism" committee, tasked with monitoring the implementation of the agreement that ended a war between Hezbollah and Israel a year ago, includes representatives from the United States, France, Lebanon, Israel, and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux told reporters after the meeting, which was attended by envoys from France, the United States, and Saudi Arabia to Lebanon: "We are working to provide the committee with practical means on the ground to verify the progress made in the process of disarming Hezbollah." He explained that the Lebanese Army Commander presented during the meeting the "progress made" by his forces in southern Lebanon, in addition to the army's "needs," noting there was "consensus on seriously documenting this progress and working within the framework of the ceasefire monitoring mechanism." According to Confavreux, the attendees agreed in principle to hold an international conference to support the Lebanese army in February, without specifying the location. During the meeting, Israel launched a series of airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon, claiming they targeted Hezbollah facilities. Lebanese authorities have approved a plan to disarm Hezbollah in implementation of the agreement, with the army expected to complete the first phase in the border area south of the Litani River by the end of the year. However, Israel has escalated its air raids in recent weeks, accusing Hezbollah of rebuilding its capabilities and expressing doubts about the effectiveness of the Lebanese army.
KEYWORDS
MENTIONED ENTITIES 10
Yossi Drizinan
👤 Person_MaleDeputy Head of the Israeli National Security Council
Simon Karam
👤 Person_MaleLebanese ambassador representing Lebanon in the Naqoura meeting
Morgan Ortagus
👤 Person_FemaleRepresentative of the American side in the Naqoura meeting
Rudolf Heikal
👤 Person_MaleCommander of the Lebanese Army
Pascal Confavreux
👤 Person_MaleSpokesperson for the French Foreign Ministry
Mechanism Committee
🏛️ OrganizationCommittee monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel
UNIFIL
🏛️ OrganizationUnited Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
France
📍 Location_CountryCountry hosting the Paris meeting
United States
📍 Location_CountryCountry represented in the Mechanism Committee
Saudi Arabia
📍 Location_CountryCountry represented at the Paris meeting