Lebanon and Israel have engaged in their first direct diplomatic discussions in over three decades, a significant development aimed at de-escalating the conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who facilitated the talks, described them as a “historic opportunity” to curb Hezbollah’s influence in the region.
A US statement confirmed that both parties have agreed to commence direct negotiations, with the specific time and location yet to be determined. Israel articulated its objective to disarm all non-state terror organizations, a clear reference to Hezbollah. In response, Lebanon called for an immediate ceasefire and concrete measures to address its severe humanitarian crisis. The two nations lack formal diplomatic relations, and their last high-level direct talks occurred in 1993.
The current hostilities have claimed over 2,000 lives since Israeli military operations in Lebanon commenced on March 2, shortly after US and Israeli strikes began in Iran. Even as the talks unfolded in Washington on Tuesday, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for at least 24 attacks targeting Israel and Israeli forces in Lebanon, triggering drone and rocket alarms across northern Israel throughout the day. Israel maintains that its operations in Lebanon are designed to disarm and dismantle Hezbollah, a group it has also confronted in 2023 and 2024 amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Following the discussions, US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott stated that both Israel and Lebanon committed to working towards diminishing Hezbollah’s influence. He also reiterated Lebanon’s plea for a “ceasefire and concrete measures to address and alleviate the severe humanitarian crisis” within the country. Concurrently, the US affirmed its “support for Israel’s right to defend itself” against Hezbollah’s assaults.
Rubio, speaking to reporters before the meeting, characterized the engagement as “a process” that “will take time, but we believe it is worth this endeavor.” He added, “It’s a historic gathering that we hope to build on.” Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed hope that the talks would “mark the beginning of the end of the suffering of the Lebanese people in general, and those in the south in particular,” asserting that the “only solution” involves the Lebanese armed forces being “solely responsible for the security of the area.”
However, the Lebanese government’s capacity to confront Hezbollah is limited. A senior Hezbollah member, Wafiq Safa, told the AP news agency prior to the talks that the organization would not be bound by any agreement reached in Washington. Hezbollah, a formidable and well-armed militia established in 1982, wields significant power in Lebanon’s predominantly Shia south and the southern suburbs of Beirut. Politicians affiliated with the group also hold two cabinet positions within the government. Their relationship with Lebanon’s central government has become increasingly strained since Hezbollah’s involvement in the conflict between Israel and Iran, its primary benefactor.
Separately, during US-Iran talks in Pakistan, Iranian negotiators insisted on Lebanon’s inclusion in any ceasefire, a demand rejected by both the US and Israel. A US State Department official informed the BBC that the Israel-Lebanon talks were planned a month in advance, preceding the confirmation of the Iran talks in Islamabad. Beyond the fatalities, approximately one million people have been displaced by the conflict since the latest hostilities began.
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