Israel-Hezbollah: International pressure around the ceasefire

Israel-Hezbollah: International pressure and growing tensions around the ceasefire

As the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah reaches almost the first week, the situation on the ground remains explosive. Sporadic clashes, mutual accusations of violations and tense exchanges between diplomats paint a fragile and worrying picture. Despite everything, American officials, supported by France, remain hopeful of future stability.

According to diplomatic sources, Washington urged Israel to show restraint in the face of Hezbollah's alleged provocations. “You need to calm down,” a senior U.S. official reportedly told Israeli interlocutors, emphasizing the importance of preserving the ceasefire agreement. The request comes as Hezbollah militants continue to patrol near the border, while restoring strategic infrastructure, including rocket storage sites.

Tensions are heightened by Israeli drone flights over Beirut, which the United States and France view as a direct violation of the deal. This posture deeply annoys Israel, which criticizes the Western powers for an unbalanced reading of the ceasefire.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar denounced Hezbollah's presence south of the Litani, a key point of the ceasefire. “Their presence there constitutes a major infraction,” he declared during a tense exchange with his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot. Sa'ar stressed that Israel is only reacting to Hezbollah's aggressions, calling for firm and immediate responses.

Barrot, for his part, insisted on equitable application of the terms of the agreement. “All parties must respect their commitments,” he said, while welcoming the joint efforts of the United States and France to maintain peace.

Behind the scenes, Israel is questioning the effectiveness of the ceasefire supervision system. Major General Jasper Jeffers, Special Operations Central Command (SOCCENT), recently visited Beirut with the aim of strengthening cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces. This move aims to accelerate their deployment in southern Lebanon, a crucial measure to ease tensions.

Despite these tensions, American officials are cautious but optimistic. According to a source close to the negotiations, the ceasefire agreement is not yet in danger of collapse. However, the coming days will be decisive in assessing the solidity of this agreement, which is based on a 60-day trial period.

While the situation remains uncertain, the international community continues to play a key role in mediation. But as tensions escalate along Israel's northern border, peace appears more fragile than ever, hanging on a precarious balance between diplomacy and military realities.

Jforum.fr