Israel and Lebanon agreed to a US-brokered ceasefire in 2024, ending more than a year of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah that severely weakened the Iran-backed terrorists. Since then, the sides have traded accusations over violations, with Israel questioning the Lebanese army's efforts to disarm Hezbollah. Israeli warplanes have increasingly targeted Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and even in the capital.
With growing fear that the ceasefire could unravel, the Paris meeting aims to create more robust conditions to identify, support, and verify the disarmament process and dissuade Israel from escalation, four European and Lebanese diplomats and officials told Reuters. With legislative elections due in Lebanon in 2026, there are fears that political paralysis and party politics will further fuel instability and make President Joseph Aounless likely to press for disarmament, the diplomats and officials said. (Read More)
