French Foreign Minister Proposes Revised Peace Plan in Beirut to End Hezbollah-Israel Violence
French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne presented a new peace proposal in Beirut to end the ongoing violence between Hezbollah and Israel.
He urged both parties to adhere to UN Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.
Sejourne discussed an amendment to a previous diplomatic resolution proposal from France.
UN Resolution 1701 is considered the best framework for resolving the current conflict.
The minister conveyed his message to Lebanese officials and will do so to Israel on Tuesday.
Hezbollah continues to attack Israel, linking the strikes to events in Gaza.
The Lebanese government has reminded Israel of its obligation to UN Resolution 1701 following the violations.
A French technical team is bringing a revised French initiative to Lebanon within 48 hours, which includes the cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and the Israeli army, and the safe return of Israelis and Lebanese citizens to their respective border areas.
The text discusses French envoy Emmanuel Sejourne's meetings with Lebanese political leaders, including Speaker Nabih Berri, regarding the implementation of the French peace initiative to reduce tensions between Lebanon and Israel along their border.
The initiative includes deploying more Lebanese military forces and strengthening the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, UNIFIL.
The earlier version of the French peace plan proposed Hezbollah and its allies to withdraw from the border, and Israel to avoid "air violations." Sejourne urged Berri to prioritize the election of a president before finalizing negotiations on the situation in the south, emphasizing the importance of a governing authority and presidential involvement in negotiations.
Berri presented Sejourne with evidence of damage caused by Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon.
The text discusses the impact of Israeli phosphorus bombings in an area of 10 million sq meters in Lebanon, resulting in the destruction of 1,000 housing units and damage to thousands more.
The environmental and agricultural harm caused by these operations was also highlighted.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian visited Lebanon to address the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel and called for all parties to exercise restraint to avoid a regional war.
There was no activity reported in the UNIFIL operational region in Lebanon on a Sunday morning, during a visit by French Foreign Minister Sejourne to UNIFIL headquarters for a border situation briefing.
Aroldo Sejourne, the UNIFIL chief, inspected the work of French peacekeepers and investigated Israeli military activities in Lebanon.
On Monday, Israeli military drones launched missiles towards Aita Al-Shaab and raided Khiam, following heavy shelling on Lebanese border villages.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for targeting Israeli soldiers with artillery shells.
Residents in southern Lebanon reported feeling earthquake-like tremors, suggesting the use of heavy artillery or unconventional weapons.
The Israeli strikes were in response to over 30 missiles launched from Lebanon towards the Galilee panhandle and the upper Galilee.
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, announced that their Lebanon branch had attacked the headquarters of Israel's 769th Eastern Brigade with rockets.
The group stated that this was in retaliation for Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank.