Israel is not expected to show “goodwill” (according to the American description) during negotiations, but what about Washington’s “goodwill,” as long as both it and Israel constantly affirm that their objectives are “shared”? The reality is that their continued undermining of the Lebanese state, whether through negotiations or on the ground, can only lead to two outcomes: strengthening “Iran’s party” (Hezbollah)’s belief in relying on it and on its negotiating path, which is theoretically ongoing with no end in sight; or American submission to Israeli pressure to push its army to occupy new areas, such as the Ali al-Taher hill, for example, an act for it carries the symbolism of a belated ‘Crusader-style’ revenge.
