In Bikfaya, Lebanon, former Lebanese President Amin Gemayel, who signed a brief peace agreement with Israel in the 1980s, believes it is now time to rekindle negotiations aimed at normalizing relations between Lebanon and Israel. In an interview with The Associated Press, Gemayel highlighted the significance of recent direct talks between the two nations, the first of their kind since the 1980s, as they explore pathways toward a potential security agreement.
At 84 years old, Gemayel is part of a prominent political dynasty in Lebanon, having led the Christian Phalange party for decades. He noted that the political landscape has significantly shifted, making discussions with Israel more feasible amidst a fragile ceasefire. The direct talks, held in Washington, coincided with protests in Lebanon against Israeli military actions in the region, particularly following a series of devastating bombings in early October 2023.
Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed group that emerged during Gemayel's presidency, has severely increased its power over the years and opposes any negotiations with Israel. Gemayel, however, pointed to the weakening of Hezbollah due to Israeli military actions and geopolitical changes, such as the diminished influence of Syria's Bashar Assad, which limited the group's ability to receive military support through the porous Lebanon-Syria border.
Gemayel recalled a time when broaching peace with Israel was considered an unforgivable crime. However, he sees greater regional openness to such discussions, referencing Syria's direct engagements with Israel and the Abraham Accords, in which several Arab nations established formal relations with Israel. Historically, Gemayel had attempted to sign a peace agreement in May 1983, which ultimately failed due to external pressures and conflicting interests, particularly from Syria.
Gemayel urged Lebanon’s current leaders to pursue a long-term peace agreement with Israel, suggesting that even a simple armistice, akin to the 1949 agreement, could provide a much-needed foundation for stability. President Joseph Aoun, alongside Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, has expressed interest in negotiating a deal that would stop short of full normalization with Israel. This initiative has drawn both support and criticism within Lebanon's deeply divided society, but the leaders argue that negotiations are the most viable path to ensuring a withdrawal of Israeli troops and establishing lasting calm.
Gemayel underscored the current opportunity for the Lebanese government to negotiate a solution that ensures peace and security for its citizens, many of whom are yearning for a return to stability after the prolonged unrest. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated following attacks on Iran in late February 2023, has resulted in over 2,500 deaths in Lebanon and displaced more than one million people.
Despite the presence of an ostensibly active truce, skirmishes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters persist, with frequent accusations of ceasefire violations from both sides. Within Lebanon, there is discontent regarding Hezbollah’s military actions, including rocket launches into Israel, alongside outrage towards the ensuing Israeli bombardments.
Gemayel acknowledged the complexity of the regional situation, expressing cautious optimism for the negotiations led by General Aoun, with a commitment to preserving Lebanon's national interests and unity. He emphasized the importance of understanding how far discussions can progress while ensuring the country’s integrity remains intact.
