A broad agreement and the assimilation of Hezbollah into the army: the French ambassador on the plan to stop the war

In recent days, Israel has been preparing for an extensive ground invasion of southern Lebanon, and at the same time intensive diplomatic efforts are being made, mainly by France, to reach a political agreement. French Ambassador to Israel Frédéric Journes tells in a conversation with N12 about the behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts designed to prevent an all-out war.

According to Journes, the French aim to mediate in Paris a broader agreement between Israel and Lebanon, which will include more than just a ceasefire. The ambassador says that within the framework of that agreement, the peace between the parties will be anchored, the assimilation of Hizbullah in the South Lebanese army and international aid to the failed economy of the country. “These opportunities do not appear often,” he clarifies.

The proposal formulated by France to end the war in Lebanon includes an unprecedented step of Lebanese recognition of Israel, Barak Ravid reported at the end of the week. The proposal is being reviewed by the parties, who may meet for negotiation talks directly in Paris.

Ambassador Journes outlined the French thinking regarding possible agreements between Israel and Lebanon, and clarified the French position, which was made clear to senior officials in Israel and Lebanon: “We have to tell the Lebanese – don’t start from the beginning – start from the end. If you want to interest the Israelis, you have to say that you want more than a cease-fire agreement and the evacuation of points from Lebanon and to continue the stagnation that has existed since 1948.”

He clarifies that the Lebanese vision is to create an agreement between a cease-fire and a full peace agreement: “Today there is a chance to find a balance that goes beyond a cease-fire. I would not call it a peace agreement, because we are not there yet, but it could be an agreement. It is possible to create a framework in which mutual non-aggression will be approved and established and become part of a new policy.”

Another aspect included in French thinking about a long-term solution in Lebanon is a change in the status of the Shia population in the country, and the integration of Hezbollah into the Lebanese army. “We need to create the conditions in which Hezbollah makes the decision to move to a political and social organization and considers turning its back on the ‘resistance’,” says Journes, adding that “they can integrate into the army with a salary, and that’s how you gradually erode the idea of ​​the ‘resistance’. You can’t integrate whole units because otherwise the army will become a cover for Hezbollah. We need a change of clothes. It will take time.”

According to him, the proposal led to signs of interest from the Israeli side, but so far no official response has been received. He describes interest from the American side in the proposal, and an understanding in the Lebanese leadership that “the chances of keeping the country with another fragile ceasefire are too small.”

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has appointed a political delegation to reach an agreement with Israel, and he has signaled in recent days that he is determined to prevent escalation, even at the cost of taking steps against Hezbollah. But despite the willingness of Aoun and other senior officials in Lebanon to act, it is not clear if they have the ability to dislodge Hezbollah, as Lebanon committed to do according to the cease-fire agreement signed at the end of the last round of fighting in 2024.

Journes emphasizes that the Paris position of the current Lebanese government, unlike those that preceded it, is a possible and rare partner for the reshaping of relations between the countries. “There is someone on the other side of the table, and that is very important. These opportunities do not appear often – and there is one in Lebanon now,” he told N12, adding that Lebanon cannot continue its policy as usual – because that is what led to the current situation.

However, he admits that the French are also well aware of the limitations of Lebanon’s power as a country, and its inability to deal with Hezbollah and overwhelm it by force. “Lebanon’s current president and prime minister cannot fully confront Hezbollah. It’s impossible, they don’t have the ability despite our and the Americans’ help. They can’t do it without a civil war, and they know it. That doesn’t mean they couldn’t do more, but that’s the reality in this fragile country.”

Lebanon is in a deep economic crisis, which undermines the functioning and stability of the country and makes any initiative against Hezbollah even more difficult. The French ambassador says that as part of the French efforts, in Paris they are offering carrots to the Lebanese in the form of aid in rebuilding the Lebanese economy. “The main thing is the economy, and the stabilization of the debt in the country. The possibilities to stabilize the base of Lebanon’s economy exist,” says Journes.

He says that another aspect in which France may help is the redesign of the Lebanese army and its strengthening. The Lebanese army is considered a rather weak body, unable to confront Hezbollah.

At the beginning of the month, Hezbollah decided to enter the war on the side of Iran, and since then has launched hundreds of drones and missiles, mainly to the northern settlements. The organization broadcasts militant messages, and Israel itself is preparing for a large-scale operation in Lebanon – an operation that the Lebanese and French governments are trying to prevent through intensive diplomatic efforts.