Israel rejects France’s plan to replace IDF forces with UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, prolonging its military presence in five key locations amid tensions with Hezbollah.
Israel has flatly rejected a French-backed plan to replace IDF forces with United Nations peacekeepers, choosing instead to maintain a prolonged military presence in five critical positions inside southern Lebanon. The proposal, which included French troops under UNIFIL’s mandate, was intended to facilitate Israel’s withdrawal under a ceasefire deal brokered by Washington in November.
With Hezbollah still entrenched in the region, Israel is unwilling to cede strategic positions without ironclad security guarantees. The original withdrawal deadline of January 26 was already pushed to February 18, but Israeli officials are now requesting an additional 10-day extension, signaling deep skepticism about Lebanese and UN forces securing the area.
Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, speaking after a Paris conference on Syria, insisted that France’s plan meets Israel’s security needs. “It is now up to us to convince the Israelis that this solution allows a complete and final withdrawal,” Barrot said. But Tel Aviv remains unconvinced, wary of repeating past mistakes where UNIFIL forces failed to prevent Hezbollah’s expansion.
US officials appear to be backing Israel’s cautious approach. Reports suggest Washington has authorized a “long-term” Israeli presence in the area, implicitly recognizing the IDF’s strategic necessity in countering Hezbollah. The delay underscores the broader regional chessboard—any premature withdrawal could embolden Iran-backed forces and shift the balance of power along the northern border.
As diplomatic maneuvering continues, Israel’s refusal to abandon its positions sets the stage for further clashes. Hezbollah’s next move will determine whether this standoff leads to another escalation or forces a new security realignment on Israel’s terms.
