The security tension on the border with Lebanon and the exchange of bombing and targeting are developing rapidly, bringing Israel closer to the scenario of direct clashes, in light of direct threats to the Israeli leadership to launch military operations to push Hezbollah beyond the Litani River.
Developments prompted Paris to send Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna to Tel Aviv and Beirut, while Israel believes that France can play an important role in reducing the escalation on the Lebanese-Israeli border and avoiding the war in Gaza turning into a regional war.
Information indicates that Paris is proposing a mechanism to implement it, and notes a role for its forces in southern Lebanon, and Newsweek newspaper places the Israeli threats of war against southern Lebanon, in the context of giving greater opportunities for the outbreak of a regional conflict that may lead to dragging Iran and the United States into war.
Efforts to provide security and stability in southern Lebanon, observers believe, clash with Hezbollah’s position and its willingness to withdraw its fighters and weapons from the area between the border and the Litani River.
French endeavors
Regarding France’s diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis and achieve stability, journalist Jean-Pierre Perrin says that the visit of French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna is the second of its kind in the region and comes in light of the restoration of the French presence there.
- During the meeting with Catherine Colonna, France sent a message to Israel not to confront Hezbollah.
- French fear of the war expanding and entering into a conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.
- Lebanese-French relations are strong and historical.
- There is actual pressure on Israel to stop firing on Gaza and demand permanent peace.
- Focusing international efforts on the problem of the Houthis’ control of Bab al-Mandab.
- The situation in the Red Sea could affect the context of the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
- Work to avoid turning Lebanon into a second Gaza.
The fire of escalation reaches the Red Sea
The fire of escalation in the Gaza Strip exceeds the borders of the region and reaches the Red Sea. Houthi attacks on ships intensify in the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Most recently, the Swan Atlantic ship, owned by a Norwegian company, was subjected to a missile attack.
American officials say that the tanker was attacked in the southern Red Sea from areas controlled by the Houthis.
What the waters of the Red Sea have been witnessing for weeks has prompted giant companies to suspend their flights through the Red Sea.
In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Dr. Samir Ghattas, head of the Middle East Forum for Strategic Studies and National Security, explained that the Houthis’ actions in the Red Sea complicate matters further, given that the matter is considered to be related to international security, thus placing responsibility on the United States, as he said:
- During Biden’s term, the United States removed the Houthis from the list of terrorist groups after adopting them for a period as part of its containment policy.
- The United States seeks to form a new international coalition to confront the activity of Houthi military groups against tankers in the Red Sea region.
- Although Egypt was affected by the Houthi attacks, it has not yet announced its joining the international alliance.
- An announcement by the Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority that approximately 50 large transport ships have stopped navigating and passing through the Suez Canal.
- The United States has wavered in its strategy between a policy of containment or direct confrontation with the Houthis, and will not move to the punishment stage.
- The United States will not change its position in adopting Israel’s right to defend itself.
- The arrival of CIA Director William Burns in Warsaw is evidence of the progress of negotiations in a positive direction.
- Calling on Israel to reduce the level of military operations and review its plans in southern Gaza.
- The United States must prove its fitness to lead the region.
- It is possible that war fronts will develop and reach Lebanon, and international intervention will be better and more effective in reducing the conflict.
Houthi attacks on ships intensify
For his part, Yoni Ben Menachem, a writer and political researcher, stated in Haditha to Sky News Arabia that Iran is the one managing the battle in the Red Sea and that the Houthis are nothing but a means to that.
- The attacks carried out by the Houthis in the Red Sea do not only affect the movement of Israeli ships, but also affect foreign ships, and thus affect the international interest.
- The existence of joint coordination between Israel and the United States, as evidenced by the visit of US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
- The topics of the visit revolve around the Houthis’ control of the Red Sea, in addition to the establishment of the international coalition to confront these groups.
- The United States fears that Israel will target Houthi attacks individually.
- Israel is currently focusing its attention on the conflict in the Gaza Strip rather than on the Houthis.
2023-12-19 09:04:31
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