Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered his government to begin direct talks with Lebanon, he said in a statement on Thursday.
Netanyahu stated that the discussions would aim to focus on the disarmament of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese political and militant group, and establishing peaceful relations.
A U.S. State Department official confirmed it would host a meeting next week to discuss ongoing ceasefire negotiations involving both countries.
Lebanese officials have called for a ceasefire before the talks commence; however, Netanyahu, during an address to northern Israel residents, firmly stated: 'There is no ceasefire in Lebanon.'
This declaration comes on the heels of an extensive wave of Israeli strikes on Lebanon, which reportedly resulted in over 300 fatalities according to Lebanon’s health ministry. The same report indicated that approximately 1,150 were wounded, further jeopardizing the fragile ceasefire agreements already established with US and Iranian actors.
The ongoing conflict has prompted confusion regarding the terms of the ceasefire, particularly concerning Lebanon's involvement in diplomatic resolutions. Following the recent strikes, Iran condemned Israel's actions, citing a violation of ceasefire terms, and threatened potential retaliatory measures.
Israel’s military continues to occupy substantial areas in southern Lebanon, having inflicted damage on multiple villages in recent days. The future effectiveness of any talks remains uncertain without an agreement on a temporary ceasefire.
In light of these developments, the Lebanese government has reiterated calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah, which operates independently despite having representation in the government. The Lebanese cabinet has instructed security forces to restrict all weapons within Beirut to state institutions, an initiative welcomed by Israeli officials.
Netanyahu's recent statement followed calls with U.S. leaders who encouraged de-escalation and active negotiations. Direct talks are expected to commence next week, with hopes that they can yield progress towards peace in a region fraught with decades of conflict.
