Israel has commenced negotiations with Lebanon to demarcate their border and withdraw from five southern outposts, following a meeting in Naqoura. Three joint working groups were established to address region stability, including detainee releases and border issues. Despite a ceasefire since November, numerous violations and tensions remain evident.
Israel has initiated discussions with Lebanon regarding the demarcation of their shared border and plans to withdraw from five outposts in southern Lebanon, as announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This revelation came after a four-party meeting in Naqoura, which included participants from the Israeli military, the United States, France, and Lebanon, according to a statement from Netanyahu’s office.
The negotiations in Naqoura culminated in an agreement to establish three joint working groups aimed at ensuring regional stability. These groups will address vital concerns, such as the Israeli withdrawal from five points in southern Lebanon and a reassessment of the pre-war land delineation between the two nations, as specified in the statement.
Additionally, the talks are set to cover the release of saboteurs who have been detained in Israel since the onset of the conflict. In alignment with the United States and as a gesture to the newly elected Lebanese president, Israel has consented to release five Lebanese detainees, further detailed in the statement.
On the same evening, the International Committee of the Red Cross received these five detainees from Israel, following their capture by the Israeli military weeks earlier during the ongoing conflict. The detainees were subsequently taken to the Lebanese Italian Hospital located in Tyre, a city in southern Lebanon.
A delicate ceasefire has been maintained since November 27, halting months of intense conflict between Israel and Hezbollah that escalated into a comprehensive war last September. As per the ceasefire agreement, Israel was originally expected to withdraw completely from southern Lebanon by January 26; however, this deadline has since been postponed to February 18 due to Israel’s non-compliance. The Israeli military continues to hold a presence at five border outposts.
Reports from Lebanese authorities indicate that nearly 1,100 violations of the ceasefire by Israel have occurred, resulting in the deaths of at least 85 individuals and injuries to over 280 others.
In summary, Israel and Lebanon are actively engaged in negotiations to establish a defined border, which includes Israel’s planned withdrawal from certain outposts. The talks have led to the formation of joint working groups focused on key issues, including detainee releases and border delineation. Despite a fragile ceasefire, reports of ceasefire violations persist, highlighting the ongoing tension between the two nations.
Original Source: www.yenisafak.com
