Israel sees reinforcement of the Lebanese army as a step to withdraw troops

“ Qany measure that can strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces and facilitate Israel’s withdrawal plan from southern Lebanon is a step in the right direction, provided it is done seriously,” said Joshua Zarka.

The diplomat answered a question from journalists about a preparatory meeting to be held in Paris before an international conference to support the Lebanese army as a way of ensuring the country's security against the militias of the Shia Hezbollah group, allied with Iran.

“ We are tired of great statements that do not translate into actions,” said the Israeli ambassador, reinforcing that “it is absolutely essential to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces and prevent Hezbollah from harming Israel.”.

A preliminary meeting for an international conference to support the Lebanese army will be held on 17 September in the French capital, the Lebanese presidency announced last month.

Military commanders from various countries, government representatives, experts and international organizations are expected at this meeting, according to the Lebanese Presidency.

The date of the international conference, initially scheduled for last March in Paris, has not yet been announced.

The meeting was postponed indefinitely after Hezbollah dragged Lebanon into war in the Middle East, attacking Israel in support of Iran a few days after the start of the Israeli-American offensive against the Islamic Republic on 28 February.

Lebanon has already received promises of support for its army, which has been entrusted by the government to carry out the disarmament of the Hezbollah militias, which Israel places as a condition for abandoning its military positions in the south of the country.

The low-wage Lebanese forces face significant challenges related to the lack of equipment, personnel and technical capacity needed to accomplish their mission.

Asked about the relationship between France and Israel, which reached its lowest point a year ago, after Paris announced recognition of the Palestinian State, the Israeli ambassador said that the two countries are on the road to reconciliation.

“There is a genuine desire to improve relations at all levels,” Joshua Zarka said to journalists, adding that, although “mistakes have been made, it is possible to return to normality” in relations between Israel and France, which respectively have parliamentary elections in October and presidential elections in 2027.

Despite the ceasefire agreed between the authorities of Beirut and Tel Aviv, Israeli forces carried out new air strikes against southern Lebanon on Wednesday, allegedly in response to the launch of two drones by Hezbollah against their troops stationed in the country.

On August 28, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (FINUL) warned that the situation in the south of the country “continues fragile”, after having recorded more than a thousand projectiles launched in just seven days.

Israeli military activity in southern Lebanon increased significantly during the first fortnight of August, despite the dialogue between Israel and Lebanon to consolidate the framework agreement reached at the end of June with the mediation of the United States.

Negotiations between Beirut and Tel Aviv to put an end to the war have not yet set a date for the new round of dialogue, after an agreement to create pilot zones in southern Lebanon, which aims to replace Israeli occupying troops with regular Lebanese army soldiers.

However, as part of the peace talks with Beirut, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today confirmed the release of five Lebanese prisoners, awaiting the repatriation of leaders of the Jewish community who died in the neighboring country in the 1980s.

Hezbollah does not participate and condemns direct talks with Israel.

In response to the Hezbollah air raids since early March, Israel responded with intensive bombings and expanded the military positions it had already held in southern Lebanon since the previous conflict, causing more than 4,300 deaths and leaving more than one million displaced, according to the Beirut authorities.

The parties had been in confrontation following the war in the Gaza Strip between October 2023 and November 2024, the date of a ceasefire never truly respected and interrupted with the beginning of the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran.