The negotiations with Israel split Lebanon - and the tension at the top escalates

The negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are leading to a sharp internal division within the Lebanese leadership. According to a report in Nidaa al-Watan, members of Walid Jumblatt's party have stopped coming to the presidential palace amid the dispute. The party warns of a deadlock and further escalation, claiming that Israel is not committed to an agreement and continues its aggression.

The negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are causing a sharp internal division within the Lebanese leadership, as members of Walid Jumblatt's party have stopped coming to the presidential palace amid a severe dispute over the negotiations with Israel. This is according to a report in the newspaper Nidaa al-Watan. Party sources told the newspaper that the Lebanese-Israeli negotiations have failed and are leading nowhere, and that the proof is that Israel continues its aggression and is not committed to any agreement. According to them, the solution lies with the Americans, who are supposed to stop the attacks and obtain guarantees from Israel. Criticism was also leveled at the US Ambassador to Lebanon, Michelle Issa, for his focus on the demand that Hezbollah surrender its weapons. The sources warned that Hezbollah will not surrender its weapons within this equation, and therefore Lebanon faces a deadlock that could continue and escalate. According to the report, Israel intends to continue and expand its military activity after taking over Ali al-Taher, Tel al-Dabsha, and the Nabatieh area, with the next targets including Jabal al-Rihan, Jabal al-Rafie, and other sites. The party called on President Aoun and the negotiating team to take a clearer stance against Israeli activity and to return to the principles of the 1949 armistice agreement. Meanwhile, concern is growing over the impact of the fighting on the mountain region, which has received many displaced people from southern Lebanon.