Paris Denies Peace Plan but Backs Lebanon-Israel Talks to End War

The plan envisions direct talks, phased Israeli withdrawal, and Hezbollah disarmament, aiming for a historic peace deal yet US leadership remains crucial for progress.

Annahar

Paris Denies Peace Plan but Backs Lebanon-Israel Talks to End War

Israeli airstrike on Qallawiyah Tower (AFP).

After a report by the Axios about a proposal submitted by Paris to end the war in Lebanon, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Saturday evening that “there is no French plan.”

In a statement it said: “France has supported the openness of the Lebanese authorities to hold direct talks with Israel and has proposed facilitating them. It will be up to the parties concerned, and the parties alone, to determine the agenda of these discussions.”

Earlier, three sources familiar with the details told Axios that the French government had drafted a proposal to end the war in Lebanon that would require the Lebanese government to take the step of recognizing Israel.

According to the sources, Israel and the United States are currently reviewing the proposal.

The French framework could help reduce escalation in the war, prevent a long term Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon, increase international pressure to disarm Hezbollah, and open the door to a historic peace agreement.

According to the sources, the Lebanese government has agreed to the plan as a basis for peace talks, amid deep concern that the renewed war that erupted after rocket attacks carried out by Hezbollah against Israel could devastate the country.

A delegation for negotiations...

In this context, Lebanon is working to form a delegation to negotiate with Israel in order to stop the war between it and Hezbollah, according to an official source who spoke to Agence France-Presse on Saturday, amid a French call to hold such talks.

The source said: “Negotiations are on the table and preparations are underway to form the delegation, but there is no agenda for these talks yet, and neither the timing nor the location has been determined, whether in Paris or Cyprus. All matters are still under discussion.”

He added: “The initiative of the President of the Republic, Joseph Aoun, to negotiate is on the table. It has received European support as well as backing from many countries, but we also need an Israeli commitment to a truce or ceasefire.”

Meanwhile, Israel is planning to expand its ground operation in Lebanon, with the aim of taking control of the entire area south of the Litani River and dismantling the military infrastructure of Hezbollah, according to Israeli and American officials.

This could become the largest Israeli ground incursion into Lebanon since 2006, potentially placing the country at the center of the escalating war involving Iran.

A senior Israeli official said: “We will do what we did in Gaza Strip,” referring to the leveling of buildings that Israel says are used by Hezbollah to store weapons and launch attacks.

The French proposal…

Under the French proposal, Israel and Lebanon would open negotiations, with support from the United States and France, on a “political declaration” to be agreed upon within one month.

The negotiations would begin at the level of senior diplomats before moving to the level of political leaders. French officials would like the talks to be held in Paris, according to the sources.

The sources say the proposed declaration would include an initial recognition of Israel by Lebanon, along with a commitment by the Lebanese government to respect “Israel’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Both Israel and Lebanon would reaffirm their commitment to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war, as well as the 2024 ceasefire agreement.

The Lebanese government would commit to preventing any attacks against Israel from its territory, and to implementing its own plan to disarm Hezbollah and prevent its military activity.

The French proposal also calls for the redeployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani River. At the same time, Israel would withdraw within one month from the areas it has seized since the start of the current war, according to the sources.

Both sides would commit to using the monitoring mechanism led by the United States to address ceasefire violations and imminent threats.

Meanwhile, members of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon would verify the disarmament of Hezbollah south of the Litani River, while a coalition of countries authorized by the United Nations Security Council would oversee the disarmament process across the rest of Lebanon.

A permanent agreement…

The proposal states that Lebanon would declare its readiness to begin negotiations on a permanent non aggression agreement with Israel.

According to the sources, the agreement is expected to be signed within two months, which would end the official state of war between the two countries that has continued since the establishment of Israel in 1948.

The agreement would commit both sides to resolving disputes peacefully and establishing security arrangements between them.

After the non aggression agreement is signed, Israel would withdraw from five positions in southern Lebanon that have been controlled by Israeli army forces since November 2024.

The final stage of the French plan would pave the way for the demarcation of the border between Lebanon and Israel, as well as between Lebanon and Syria, by the end of 2026.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has already appointed a negotiating team in preparation for possible talks with Israel.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tasked former minister Ron Dermer with managing the Lebanese file during the war, according to American and Israeli officials.

Officials also said that Dermer will handle communications with the administration of Donald Trump and lead any negotiations with the Lebanese government if direct talks begin in the coming weeks.

Destruction in an Israeli settlement by Hezbollah rockets (AFP).

Strong American leadership…

However, it is still unclear who within the administration of Donald Trump is currently handling the Lebanon file at this critical moment in the crisis.

Sources familiar with the matter said that one of Ron Dermer’s first tasks will be to coordinate with the Trump administration to determine which official will take charge of the file and serve as the American mediator between the parties.

While the French proposal could form a basis for negotiations, Lebanese and Israeli officials say that reaching an agreement would be difficult without strong leadership from the United States.

Earlier today, the Hebrew newspaper Haaretz reported, citing diplomatic sources, that “Israeli and American delegations will meet in the coming days as part of preparations for negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.”