Israel, Lebanon agree to launch direct talks after rare US-facilitated meeting
Sides commit to more engagement as Trump urges disarming Hezbollah, but analysts warn a durable Israel-Lebanon deal remains unlikely
Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors held rare face-to-face talks, facilitated by Washington, on Tuesday, with all sides agreeing to launch “direct negotiations at a mutually agreed time and venue”.
“Israel expressed its commitment to engage in direct negotiations to resolve all outstanding issues and achieve a durable peace that will strengthen security, stability and prosperity in the region,” as per a readout issued by the US State Department.
The statement said that Lebanon called for a ceasefire and “concrete measures to address and alleviate the severe humanitarian crisis that the country continues to endure as a result of the ongoing conflict”.
The trilateral was seen a tentative step towards broader negotiations to end hostilities involving Hezbollah, which have added strain to an already delicate ceasefire with Iran.
Despite the optimistic language and historic milestone, chances of a lasting Israel-Lebanon agreement are limited, analysts said.
Key obstacles include Israel’s demand that Hezbollah fully disarm and withdraw from the border area while Lebanon’s weak central government possesses limited capacity to enforce disarmament, and Beirut’s demand for a full Israeli withdrawal amid disputes over contested border demarcations.