US, France propose replacing Israeli army with mercenaries in south Lebanon…

Paris and Washington are suggesting that private contractors potentially deploy in south Lebanon in a bid to encourage Israel into a full withdrawal of its forces from the country, according to an 18 February report by Middle East Eye (MEE), Lebanon has rejected Israel’s continued occupation of south Lebanon and says it will ‘adopt all means’ to bring it to an end..

“France and the US are trying to encourage Israel to fully withdraw from south Lebanon by suggesting the deployment of a peacekeeping force or even private security companies in strategic areas,” the report says. It cites a US diplomatic source as saying that Israel wishes to remain in the south until 28 February at the very least, to “supervise the safe return” of settlers to northern Israeli settlements that were evacuated during the war as a result of Hezbollah’s pro-Palestine resistance operations. 

It cites a US diplomatic source as saying that Israel wishes to remain in the south until 28 February at the very least, to “supervise the safe return” of settlers to northern Israeli settlements that were evacuated during the war as a result of Hezbollah’s pro-Palestine resistance operations.

The evacuation period for the settlements is due to end at the start of March, French President Emmanuel Macron “personally intervened, contacting Aoun and informing the Israelis” that Lebanon fully rejects its continued presence in the south, a French diplomatic source told MEE. 

France offered to deploy French troops or UN peacekeepers at the sites instead,” the source added. However, Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji claims that Israel has rejected the French plan.

According to another US diplomatic source, Washington offered to deploy multinational forces or private contractors. A Lebanese source told MEE that Lebanon “firmly” rejected this. US contractors are currently active in the Gaza Strip, where a fragile ceasefire is slowly moving forward after a year of genocide against the Palestinians.

The Israeli army has maintained its occupation of at least five key locations in southern Lebanon after completing the withdrawal of most of its troops from the south early on 18 February, Israeli forces continue to occupy Labbouneh, Mount Blat, Owayda Hill, Aaziyyeh, and Hammamis Hill. Lebanon has rejected the continued presence of Israeli troops.