Israel Seeks Normalization with Lebanon Amid Border Negotiations
As Israel and Lebanon engage in talks over disputed land borders, Israeli officials signal a broader push for normalization. However, settler leaders warn against security risks.
Watan-Just a day after Israel’s government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, announced plans to begin negotiations with Lebanon over land borders, the Hebrew news site “Ynet” reported on Wednesday that, according to an Israeli political source, the border talks are part of a broader strategic plan aimed at achieving normalization with Lebanon.
According to the source:”Netanyahu’s policies have changed the Middle East, and we now want to seize the moment to reach normalization with Lebanon.”
He further claimed that Israel and the United States believe that this is now possible, given the recent changes in Lebanon. He added:”Just as Lebanon has border concerns, so do we, and we will discuss them.”
Settler Leaders Oppose the Talks
Meanwhile, David Azulai, head of the Metula settlement council, sent a letter to Netanyahu, stating:
“The residents of the north are not willing to be hostages to weak security agreements.”
He urged Netanyahu not to agree to partial solutions that could have serious long-term consequences, leading to insecurity:
“We cannot return to living as we did before the cursed Saturday,” referring to the **”Al-Aqsa Flood” attack.
Azulai also criticized Israel’s release of five Lebanese prisoners, arguing:
“It is unacceptable to release them without Lebanon guaranteeing Israel’s security and dismantling all militant organizations operating from its territory.”
He insisted that any progress in negotiations must be based on concrete actions, not empty promises.
“Stop Selling Us Illusions”
Eitan Davidi, head of the Margaliot settlement, also expressed strong opposition in an interview with “Ynet”:
“Enough nonsense… Stop selling us illusions!”
He expected the Northern Command chief to declare that Israel must maintain its positions in the border region but instead felt disappointed:”I was already worried when we signed the ceasefire, and now I’m even more concerned. I met with top military officials this week and understood that staying in these positions is not permanent. At some point, the army will withdraw, and the Lebanese Army will take over.”
Davidi described this as:”Handing over northern Israel’s security to Hezbollah.”
Israel Holds Talks in Naqoura
His remarks came after Netanyahu’s office announced that a quadrilateral meeting was held in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, attended by representatives from:
- The Israeli army
- The United States
- France
- Lebanon
A statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said that the meeting was held:”In coordination with the United States and as a goodwill gesture to Lebanon’s new president, Israel agreed to release Lebanese detainees.”
It also outlined the establishment of three joint working groups to focus on:
- The five border points currently controlled by Israel in southern Lebanon
- The Blue Line and disputed areas
- Lebanese prisoners held by Israel
Israel Aims for Normalization
According to the Israeli political source, the talks in Naqoura were attended by military representatives, but in the next round, political and diplomatic officials from Israel will participate.
Describing this as a “dramatic breakthrough,” the source noted that Lebanon’s new president is facing political difficulties in pushing these negotiations forward.
“That’s why we released the five detainees—to allow him to claim that without firing a single shot, he secured the release of prisoners, unlike the resistance, which only brought destruction to Lebanon.”
He concluded:”The goal is to reach a normalization agreement with Lebanon, and we will continue these talks to achieve it.”
