Newspaper: French peacekeepers could be deployed to southern Lebanon to prevent escalation

France has proposed deploying peacekeepers from its UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) contingent to strategic points in southern Lebanon, a region that Israel considers a potential threat to its security.

The proposal, as Al Akhbar newspaper notes, came after Lebanon refused to extend the Israeli military presence in certain border areas under the current ceasefire agreement, set to expire on February 18, per Caliber.Az.

Sources in Beirut say that Paris offered to station French troops from its 700-member UNIFIL contingent at these key locations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has given his support to France’s initiative.

On February 13 that US Major General Jasper Jeffers, who co-chairs the ceasefire monitoring committee on the Lebanese-Israeli border, informed Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri of Israel’s plan to delay its withdrawal from southern Lebanon. The Israeli military intends to maintain control over strategic hills like Jebel Blat, Labbouna, al-Azziya, al-Uweida, and al-Hamamis, all of which dominate the border area.

In response, Berri firmly rejected any extension of Israel's military presence in southern Lebanon, emphasizing that the Lebanese army, with the support of UN peacekeepers, would take charge of securing the border. Al Akhbar added that the Lebanese government is expected to discuss France’s proposal in its upcoming meeting on February 17, particularly in light of the threat of a new military escalation arising from Israel's position.

Meanwhile, on February 14, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reported a series of Israeli Air Force (IAF) airstrikes targeting Hezbollah military sites in southern Lebanon. These sites, believed to be storing weapons and launchers, were described as a direct security threat to Israel, according to a statement from the IDF’s press service.

The IDF underscored that the presence of Hezbollah in these locations constitutes a violation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, which was meant to ensure security in the region. “The IDF continues to operate to remove any threat to the State of Israel, remains committed to the understandings, and will operate to prevent any attempt of rearmament or rebuilding of force by the Hezbollah terrorist organization,” the IDF statement declared.

By Tamilla Hasanova