France Proposes Plan To De-escalate Lebanon-Israel Tensions, Invites Hizbullah Withdrawal

France has put forth a written proposal aimed at de-escalating the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Lebanon and addressing the contentious Lebanon-Israel frontier dispute. According to a document viewed by Reuters, the French plan calls for the withdrawal of Hizbullah and other groups to a distance of 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the border, a strategy designed to mitigate the risk of a full-scale confrontation amid the volatile Gaza war backdrop.

The three-step French proposal outlines a 10-day process aimed at reducing tensions, culminating in negotiations to resolve the long-standing issue of land border delineation between Lebanon and Israel. France, leveraging its historical ties with Lebanon and its significant presence in the country through both citizens and UN peacekeeping troops, has positioned itself as a mediator in the crisis. According to reports, French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne delivered the proposal to top Lebanese officials, including Prime Minister Najib Mikati, last week.

The proposal’s key elements include a cessation of military operations between Lebanese armed groups and Israel, including a halt to Israeli airstrikes in retaliation for attacks from Lebanon. It suggests a strategic pullback of combat forces, including Hizbullah’s elite Radwan units, to reduce the immediate threat to northern Israel posed by anti-tank guided missiles. Despite the potential for Hizbullah fighters to remain within a UN-mandated buffer zone, the proposal aims to facilitate a more manageable scenario for both parties than previous demands for a withdrawal to the Litani River. In exchange, up to 15,000 Lebanese army troops would be deployed in the south, a region long influenced by Hizbullah’s presence.