The French military indicates that Hezbollah’s disarmament in south Lebanon is making progress. However, the documentation of ceasefire violations is complex due to ambiguous language in the agreement. Accusations of violations by Israel are frequent, and the monitoring committee lacks military enforcement capabilities. The challenge lies in rebuilding trust among the Lebanese population while maintaining security and order following the conflict.
The French military recently reported that the process of disarming Hezbollah in southern Lebanon is progressing favorably, although monitoring violations of the ceasefire agreement remains challenging. The ceasefire, negotiated by the United States and France in November, mandates that Hezbollah, which functions both as a political entity and an armed group supported by Iran, commence its disarmament efforts beginning south of the Litani River.
French Brigadier General Guillaume Ponchin noted the complexities involved in documenting ceasefire violations, attributed to the vague language of the agreement. He refrained from disclosing the specific number of violations recorded but emphasized that interpretations of the disarmament’s geographical application vary, with some sources claiming it pertains only to southern Lebanon while others insist it encompasses the entire nation.
Lebanon has accused Israel of multiple ceasefire violations, citing, among other incidents, the fatalities of 22 Lebanese individuals returning to their homeland the previous month. It is significant to highlight that the monitoring committee lacks military enforcement capability to prevent such violations. Instead, a designated UN mechanism reports these incidents to the UN Security Council in New York.
Brigadier General Ponchin expressed the trials faced in categorizing actions taken by either side as violations, commenting, “It is very complicated in the end to determine whether it is a violation, or not a violation, or if it is simply the application of the agreement with the understanding of the agreement by one of the parties.” The priorities of the ceasefire supervision include preventing renewed conflict and ensuring the return of Lebanese civilians to southern Lebanon, supported by the Lebanese army.
During the 14-month conflict that devastated Hezbollah’s leadership, over 1 million people were displaced. The French military displayed color-coded maps illustrating zones of influence within the ceasefire territory. Brigadier General Ponchin detailed that Hezbollah’s disarmament is being documented with timestamped photos and geolocations, providing substantial evidence of progress.
Furthermore, Ponchin outlined a sophisticated framework for addressing potential issues under the ceasefire. Should Lebanon report the movement of Israeli troops, U.S. and French representatives would engage with Israeli forces to call for their withdrawal. Conversely, Israel can relay information of Hezbollah’s military movements to the committee, which will prompt action from the Lebanese army.
While Brigadier General Ponchin acknowledged the robust deployment of Lebanese soldiers, he indicated that an additional 4,000 personnel are still required to ensure security in southern Lebanon following Hezbollah’s disarmament. He commented on the army’s current efforts positively, acknowledging international recognition of their willingness to cooperate.
Significantly, Lebanon and Israel remain in a technical state of war dating back to 1948; thus, communication between their citizens is illegal. However, Brigadier General Ponchin pointed out that dialogue is maintained between designated representatives within the ceasefire committee, stating, “We act like a notary. We do not decide whether a complaint is true or not.”
This month, France proposed that Israel withdraw from Lebanese territory, to be replaced by United Nations peacekeepers, notably including troops from the French contingent; however, Israel has not yet accepted this proposal. Brigadier General Ponchin highlighted the fiscal challenges facing the Lebanese army and underscored the criticality of gradually restoring trust among the civilian population as they seek to return to southern Lebanon.
In summary, the disarmament of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon is reportedly progressing, albeit with significant challenges regarding the documentation of violations and the ambiguous language of the ceasefire agreement. The French military remains actively involved in monitoring the situation alongside the U.S., striving to prevent conflict resurgence and facilitate the return of displaced civilians. Key cooperation between relevant parties is crucial for the stability and security of the region.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
