France Pushes Efforts in Lebanon to Prevent War between Hezbollah and Israel

France’s foreign minister said that he would discuss proposals with Lebanese officials on Sunday aimed at easing tensions between Hezbollah and Israel and preventing a war breaking out.
France has historical ties with Lebanon and earlier this year Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne proposed Hezbollah pulls back 10 km (6 miles) from the Israeli border while Israel would halt strikes in southern Lebanon.
The proposal has been discussed with partners including the US and Paris wants to keep up the momentum amid Israeli threats of a military operation in southern Lebanon.
Israel and Hezbollah have traded tit for tat strikes in recent months, but the exchanges have increased since Iran launched missiles on Israel in response to the killing of members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps’ overseas Quds Force in the Syrian capital Damascus.
The UN peace making mission known as UNIFIL, as well as unarmed technical observers known as UNTSO, are stationed in southern Lebanon to monitor hostilities along the demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel, known as the Blue Line. France has 700 troops who are part of the 10,000-strong UNIFIL.
Hezbollah has said it will not enter any concrete discussion until there is a ceasefire in Gaza, where the war between Israel and militant group Hamas has entered its sixth month.
Local Lebanese media had reported the government had provided feedback to the French on the proposal but French officials say the responses so far have been general and lack consensus among the Lebanese.
Israel, where Sejourne will go later this week, has remained cautious on the French initiative.
French and UN officials say troops are unable to completely carry out their mandate given violations from both sides.