Direct talks between Israel and Lebanon begin in the US

The first high-level direct talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1993 have begun in the US capital, Washington D.C. The meeting was attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, Lebanese Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh, Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter, and US Department of State Counselor Michel Needham.

US Secretary of State Rubio stated in his remarks before the meeting, "The people of Lebanon are victims of Iranian aggression, and this must end. This meeting is a historic opportunity to permanently end Hezbollah's 20-30 year influence in this part of the world."

Rubio expressed that due to the complexity of the issue, the situation would not be resolved immediately and that they hope the talks will be a process. Emphasizing that the peoples of Lebanon and Israel should live in peace, Rubio said, "The goal today is to establish a framework upon which a lasting and sustainable peace can be built."

The talks are taking place during a period when clashes between Israel and Hezbollah continue, and Israel's occupation and ground operations in southern Lebanon, which have drawn criticism, are ongoing. The direct negotiations are focused on a ceasefire, the long-term disarmament of Hezbollah, and a peace agreement between the two countries.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously rejected Lebanon's requests for direct talks. Following pressure from US President Donald Trump to de-escalate tensions, Netanyahu agreed to have the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors meet in Washington for peace talks.

Prior to the meeting, the Lebanese government and the Trump administration had called on Israel to pause its attacks on Lebanon. While Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu agreed to reduce attacks on the capital, Beirut, he has continued attacks on southern Lebanon.