France, Italy seek role in Israel-Lebanon deal as UN pushes to revive peacekeeping mission

France and Italy have asked the United States and Israel to take part in implementing a new understanding between Israel and Lebanon, while the United Nations is seeking to revive its peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon under a different framework.

According to Israeli media, the proposals centre on a pilot programme included in the agreement under which the Lebanese Armed Forces would assume responsibility for clearing two designated areas of Hezbollah's presence and ensuring they remain free of the group.

France, Italy and the UN have proposed assisting the Lebanese military in carrying out the task, amid doubts over its ability to enforce the arrangement based on previous experience.

According to the report, Israel opposes the involvement of both the United Nations and France. Israeli officials argue that the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which has operated in southern Lebanon since 1978, failed to prevent Hezbollah from strengthening its presence in the area despite its mandate.

The report said Israel and the United States had worked in recent years to end the mission's mandate, with a UN Security Council decision adopted several months ago expected to lead to its conclusion.

France opposed ending the UNIFIL mission. The report said Paris has sought to maintain a role in Lebanon, citing historical ties between the two countries. It also noted that relations between France and Israel have deteriorated in recent years, with disagreements over French policy towards Israel and President Emmanuel Macron's positions on the conflict.

By contrast, the report said Israel views Italy more favourably and could be more open to an Italian role in implementing the agreement, citing stronger bilateral relations and ties with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Neither France, Italy, the United Nations nor the governments of Israel and Lebanon immediately commented publicly on the reported proposals.

By Aghakazim Guliyev