Key facts
- Britain, Italy, Switzerland, and Indonesia are shortlisted as potential contributors to a Hezbollah disarmament verification mechanism.
- The shortlist was developed through U.S.-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon.
- The proposed mechanism involves inspecting villages in southern Lebanon to ensure they are free of weapons.
- Israel is seeking to include private homes in these inspections, a point of contention with Lebanon.
- The U.S. and Israel are reportedly disinclined to involve the United Nations in the verification process.
Israel and Lebanon have agreed on Britain, Italy, Switzerland, and Indonesia as potential contributors to a proposed mechanism for verifying Hezbollah's disarmament, according to sources familiar with the matter. The shortlist emerged from U.S.-mediated talks in Rome last week, part of ongoing negotiations to implement a June agreement that links Israel's phased withdrawal from Lebanon to the disarmament of the Iran-backed group.
These nations could play various roles, including defining the mechanism's scope, providing personnel for oversight, or contributing troops for inspections. A Lebanese official confirmed the agreement on a list of potential countries but noted that the U.S. would ultimately decide which would participate.
Israel currently occupies a security zone extending 10 kilometers into southern Lebanon and has stated it will not withdraw unilaterally until Hezbollah is disarmed. The proposed verification mechanism includes inspecting villages to confirm they are free of weapons. However, Israel's demand that these inspections extend to private homes has met resistance from Lebanon's army, which fears it could ignite tensions.
Discussions are in the early stages, with sources expressing cautious optimism. The mandate for any foreign troops would need to be agreed upon, likely involving an invitation from the Lebanese government endorsed by Israel. Both the U.S. and Israel are reportedly unlikely to accept United Nations involvement, while European nations may oppose oversight by a U.S.-proposed "Board of Peace."