Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that he has instructed his cabinet to launch direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible. The move comes after a series of intensive discussions with U.S. officials, including President Trump and White House envoy Steve Witkoff, who reportedly urged Israel to de-escalate its military actions in Lebanon.
U.S. Pressure and Regional Tensions
Senior U.S. officials disclosed that Witkoff specifically asked Netanyahu to 'calm down' the Israeli strikes in Lebanon and initiate talks. Iran, however, claims that Lebanon was included in a broader ceasefire agreement, alleging that the U.S. and Israel are in violation of this deal. Iran has threatened to abandon peace talks or block the Strait of Hormuz in response. Both the U.S. and Israel deny any such agreement, asserting that Israel's offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon remains active.
In light of Lebanon's repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed yesterday to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible.
Netanyahu's Stance
Netanyahu stated that the negotiations 'will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon.' He also expressed appreciation for the Lebanese prime minister's call to demilitarize Beirut. However, an Israeli official clarified that there will be 'no ceasefire in Lebanon,' indicating that military operations will continue while talks proceed.
Israeli strikes in Lebanon have escalated significantly, with Lebanese Civil Defense reporting at least 254 fatalities following Wednesday's attacks. The ongoing conflict underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region, with U.S. involvement adding another layer of pressure on both Israel and Lebanon.