Israel and Lebanon envoys are set to hold a historic meeting in Washington on Tuesday, April 14th. This will mark the first face-to-face direct negotiations between representatives of the two countries since 1993. US Secretary of State Rubio will also be attending the talks and playing a mediator role.
Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh will meet in Washington at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. According to multiple media reports, State Department officials have confirmed that Secretary of State Rubio will be present at the negotiations.
This meeting is a rare occurrence between Israel and Lebanon. Since Israel’s establishment in 1948, the two countries have been in a technical state of conflict with no formal diplomatic relations.
Following the outbreak of the Iran War on February 28th, Hezbollah began firing at Israel on March 2nd in support of Iran, drawing Lebanon into the broader conflict. Israel subsequently conducted ground military operations and airstrikes in Lebanon to eliminate the threat posed by Hezbollah. Currently, Israel’s military actions in Lebanon are ongoing.
Hezbollah is an Iran-supported armed group. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem urged on Monday, April 13th, for the Lebanese government to cancel the negotiations with Israel, stating that Hezbollah will continue to resist Israel.
Despite Hezbollah’s opposition, the Lebanese government led by President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam still hope to negotiate with Israel. President Aoun expressed his desire for both countries to reach a ceasefire agreement and initiate comprehensive negotiations.
However, Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian stated that Israel will not discuss a ceasefire.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated at a press conference, “We hope to achieve peace and normalization of relations with Lebanon. There are no significant disputes between Israel and Lebanon, but the problem lies with Hezbollah.”
Saar emphasized that the negotiations will focus on disarming Hezbollah. He stressed that before signing any peace agreements and normalizing relations between Israel and Lebanon, this issue must be addressed.
He pointed out that Hezbollah’s threats to Israel’s security and Lebanon’s sovereignty must be resolved before progressing to the next phase.
Since the war broke out between Hezbollah and Israel in 2024, the Lebanese government has been seeking a peaceful way to disarm Hezbollah. Any attempt by Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah militarily could potentially lead to further conflicts in the country.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated over the weekend that the goal of the negotiations is to achieve a “historic, sustainable peace agreement with Lebanon that will endure for generations.”
According to Reuters, a State Department official mentioned that Israel is fighting against Hezbollah, not Lebanon, and therefore there is no reason for both sides not to engage in dialogue. This official stated that the talks will be direct, high-level, and the first of its kind since 1993.
The meeting will “explore ways to ensure long-term security on Israel’s northern border and support the Lebanese government in reclaiming full sovereignty over its territory and political life.”