Israel and Lebanon hold direct talks in Washington
Israel and Lebanon have held their first direct diplomatic talks in more than three decades, hosted by the United States in Washington, D.C., amid an ongoing war with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The meetings were brokered by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and attended by the two countries’ ambassadors, marking a rare moment of open, high‑level bilateral contact.
What the talks are about
The main agenda centers on ending hostilities in southern Lebanon, ideally via a ceasefire, while also discussing how to disarm Hezbollah and shape a broader peace framework between Israel and Lebanon. The U.S. has emphasized that any cessation of hostilities must be agreed directly between Israel and Lebanon, under American mediation, not through separate channels.
Positions of Israel and Lebanon
-
Israel is pushing for the dismantling of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure and wants “genuine peace” that would keep its northern border secure over the long term.
-
Lebanon’s government, critical of Hezbollah’s initiation of rocket fire toward Israel in early April, seeks to stop the war and prevent a full‑scale Israeli ground invasion, while publicly distancing itself from Hezbollah’s stance.
Hezbollah’s reaction and outlook
Hezbollah has rejected the Washington‑based direct talks, calling them “futile” and urging the Lebanese government to withdraw, while simultaneously intensifying rocket fire into northern Israel during the discussions. U.S. officials have acknowledged that deep disagreements remain and that a breakthrough is not immediate, but they see the talks as a first step toward a possible comprehensive peace deal.
