"A crucial meeting bringing together Israeli and Lebanese representatives, among others, is scheduled to take place on Friday, with the potential relaunch of an expanded Israeli war on Lebanon hanging over the gathering. The meeting in the southern Lebanese town of Naqoura is the second to include civilian representatives from Lebanon and Israel, after the first took place on December 3, amid Israeli attacks."
"The committee is chaired by a US general and was originally composed of military officials. But due to Israeli pressure, Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun appointed Simon Karam, a Lebanese diplomat, to participate earlier this month. Israel reportedly wants the inclusion of civilians to discuss nonmilitary issues, such as plans for potential economic cooperation. Israel also appointed a civilian representative from its National Security Council, Uri Resnick, and the meeting was also attended by US Special Representative for Lebanon Morgan Ortagus."
Representatives from Israel and Lebanon, together with US, French, and UN officials, will meet in Naqoura for a second direct session to monitor implementation of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The meeting includes civilian representatives after a prior session on December 3. Since October 8, 2023, Israeli operations have killed more than 4,000 people in Lebanon. A ceasefire on November 27, 2024 did not end all violence; subsequent strikes killed over 300 people, including at least 127 civilians, according to the United Nations. The special committee, originally military and chaired by a US general, now includes Lebanese diplomat Simon Karam and Israeli National Security Council civilian Uri Resnick. Israel seeks civilian participation to address nonmilitary issues and potential economic cooperation while near-daily attacks and threats of expanded war continue.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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