JUST IN: Netanyahu Says Lebanon Negotiations Aim to Disarm Hezbollah, Establish Peace
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Diplomacy & Conflict
In a significant diplomatic development amid ongoing regional hostilities, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Israel will pursue direct negotiations with Lebanon with two primary objectives: the disarmament of the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah and the establishment of peaceful relations between the two neighboring countries.
The announcement, made on Thursday, comes as the fragile two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran faces mounting pressure from continued Israeli military operations in Lebanon—operations that Netanyahu has made clear will continue alongside the diplomatic track .
Netanyahu’s Statement: Two Core Objectives
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office issued an official statement outlining the decision to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible.” The prime minister framed the move as a response to what he described as Lebanon’s “repeated requests” for direct engagement .
“In light of Lebanon’s repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed the cabinet yesterday to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible. The negotiations will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon.” — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Netanyahu further indicated that Israel “appreciates the call made today by the Prime Minister of Lebanon to demilitarize Beirut,” referring to a statement from Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam directing security forces to restrict weapons in the capital exclusively to state institutions .
Negotiation Leadership and Venue
According to Israeli media reports, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, will lead the negotiations on behalf of Israel . The talks are expected to take place in Washington, D.C., with the United States serving as mediator—a role that aligns with America’s broader diplomatic engagement in the region.
| Negotiation Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Israeli Lead Negotiator | Ambassador Yechiel Leiter |
| Expected Venue | Washington, D.C. |
| Mediator | United States |
| Lebanese Lead | Ambassador Nada Mouawad (expected) |
| Primary Focus | Hezbollah disarmament, peace relations |
Notably, Israeli officials have made clear that there is currently no ceasefire in place with Hezbollah and that negotiations will begin “in the coming days” without any prior halt to military operations .
Lebanon’s Position: Ceasefire First
While Netanyahu’s announcement was framed as a response to Lebanese requests for dialogue, Beirut’s immediate priority differs significantly. A Lebanese government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Agence France-Presse that Lebanon “wants a ceasefire” declared before starting any negotiations with Israel .
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has stated that “the only solution to the current situation in Lebanon is to achieve a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon,” adding that the ceasefire proposal and the initiation of direct negotiations have so far received a “positive response” .
This fundamental disagreement—Israel seeking negotiations without a prior halt to strikes, Lebanon demanding a ceasefire first—represents a significant obstacle to the diplomatic process.
‘No Ceasefire’: Military Operations to Continue
Despite the diplomatic overture, Israeli officials have been unambiguous that military operations against Hezbollah will continue alongside negotiations. An Israeli official told Axios that there is “no ceasefire in Lebanon,” adding that negotiations with the Lebanese government would begin in the coming days .
Netanyahu himself, just hours before the announcement, declared on social media that Israel would continue striking Hezbollah “with force, precision, and determination” wherever necessary . The Israeli military has stated that it continues to pursue the goal of “disarming” Hezbollah in Lebanon through ongoing operations .
This “talks under fire” approach reflects Israel’s stated strategy: using military pressure to force Hezbollah’s disarmament while simultaneously engaging the Lebanese government on a political track.
The Context: Deadly Escalation in Lebanon
Netanyahu’s announcement comes against the backdrop of one of the deadliest waves of Israeli airstrikes since the conflict with Hezbollah began. According to Lebanese health ministry figures:
- At least 254-300 people killed in Israeli strikes on Wednesday alone
- More than 1,000 wounded in the same 24-hour period
- Over 1,739 total killed in Lebanon since the conflict began on March 2
- More than 5,873 wounded since March 2
The strikes targeted areas across Beirut’s southern suburbs, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon, with the Israeli military issuing evacuation warnings for neighborhoods near Rafic Hariri International Airport—Lebanon’s only civilian aviation hub.
Rescue workers described the grim reality on the ground. In the heart of a seafront residential neighborhood of Beirut, half a building had collapsed, some rooms sliced in two by a deadly strike. “Look, these are school notebooks, class notes, books! Where is Hezbollah here? There is no Hezbollah in this neighborhood!” protested Khaled Salam, a local resident .
Lebanon’s Internal Dynamics: Demilitarization Push
Netanyahu’s reference to Lebanon’s “call to demilitarize Beirut” reflects a significant internal development within Lebanese politics. Lebanon’s cabinet on Thursday instructed security forces to restrict weapons in Beirut exclusively to state institutions .
“The army and security forces are requested to immediately begin reinforcing the full imposition of state authority over Beirut Governorate and to monopolise weapons in the hands of legitimate authorities alone.” — Prime Minister Nawaf Salam
This move represents a direct challenge to Hezbollah’s long-standing military presence in the capital, though the practical impact remains to be seen given Hezbollah’s significant military capabilities. The Lebanese government had banned Hezbollah’s military activities at the beginning of March, but the decision has not stopped the Iran-backed group from conducting military operations .
Notably, in December 2025—prior to the current escalation—Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives held their first direct talks in decades as part of a ceasefire monitoring mechanism . Before then, both countries, which have no formal diplomatic relations, had insisted on keeping military officers in the negotiating role.
The US-Iran Ceasefire Dispute: Lebanon as Flashpoint
Netanyahu’s announcement cannot be understood in isolation from the broader diplomatic context. A two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, brokered by Pakistan and announced on April 7, has been holding—but with significant tension over whether the truce applies to Lebanon .
The parties remain sharply divided:
| Party | Position on Lebanon’s Inclusion |
|---|---|
| United States | Lebanon NOT included in the US-Iran truce |
| Israel | Ceasefire “does not include Lebanon” |
| Pakistan (Mediator) | Ceasefire applies “everywhere, including Lebanon” |
| Iran | Considers Israeli strikes a “blatant violation” |
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned on Thursday that continued Israeli strikes on Lebanon “will render negotiations meaningless,” adding that “our finger remains on the trigger. Iran will never abandon its Lebanese brothers and sisters” .
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf went further, posting on X that “Lebanon and the entire Resistance Axis, as Iran’s allies, form an inseparable part of the ceasefire” and warning that “ceasefire violations carry explicit costs and STRONG responses” .
International Reactions: Pressure on Israel
Netanyahu’s announcement follows intense international pressure on Israel to halt its attacks on Lebanon. European leaders have been particularly vocal in their criticism:
Germany: Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that “the severity with which Israel is waging war there could cause the peace process as a whole to fail, and that must not be allowed to happen” .
United Kingdom: Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that the UK “strongly” wants to see the ceasefire extended to Lebanon, expressing deep concern about “the escalating attacks that we saw from Israel in Lebanon yesterday” .
France: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told France Inter that “We strongly condemn these massive strikes” .
European Union: Brussels joined Moscow and Ankara in demanding that the US-Iran ceasefire be extended to Lebanon .
The United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Turk described “the scale of the killing and destruction in Lebanon today” as “nothing short of horrific” .
Trump’s Intervention: Scaling Back Strikes
President Donald Trump played a direct role in paving the way for the Lebanese negotiations. According to NBC News, Trump asked Netanyahu to scale back Israel’s strikes in Lebanon during a phone conversation on Wednesday, with the request aimed at helping to ensure the success of upcoming US-Iran negotiations in Islamabad .
Vice President JD Vance confirmed that Israel had responded positively to the American request. “The Israelis as I understand it have actually offered to … check themselves a little bit in Lebanon because they want to make sure that our negotiation is successful,” Vance stated .
Senior US officials told Axios that White House envoy Steve Witkoff also urged Netanyahu to scale back strikes in Lebanon and move toward negotiations .
The Hezbollah Factor: Rocket Barrages and Close-Quarters Combat
Even as Netanyahu announced the diplomatic initiative, Hezbollah demonstrated its continued military capabilities. Just minutes before the prime minister’s statement, Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets toward northern Israel, triggering air raid sirens across multiple communities .
On the ground, Hezbollah announced it was engaged in close-quarters combat against Israeli forces in the south Lebanon town of Bint Jbeil . The group has maintained that it has a “right” to respond to Israeli strikes and has accused Israel of violating the US-Iran truce .
This ongoing military activity underscores the significant gap between the diplomatic initiative and the reality on the ground. Any successful negotiation will need to address not only the Lebanese government’s position but also Hezbollah’s willingness—or unwillingness—to comply with disarmament demands.
What Comes Next: Parallel Diplomatic Tracks
The announcement of Israel-Lebanon negotiations adds a new dimension to an already crowded diplomatic calendar:
Islamabad Talks (Upcoming): US and Iranian delegations are scheduled to meet in Pakistan’s capital for negotiations aimed at transforming the temporary ceasefire into a permanent agreement. The US delegation will be led by Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. The Iranian delegation will be headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Washington Talks (Expected): Direct Israel-Lebanon negotiations are expected to begin in the coming days in Washington, D.C., with Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter leading the Israeli delegation and US officials serving as mediators.
Strait of Hormuz: The strategic waterway remains largely restricted, with Iran imposing a limit of 15 ships per day requiring IRGC approval. This issue will be central to the Islamabad talks.
Conclusion: A Historic Opening Amid Ongoing Conflict
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s announcement that Israel will pursue direct negotiations with Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah and establish peaceful relations represents a potentially historic diplomatic development. For two countries that have technically been at war since Israel’s establishment in 1948, direct negotiations aimed at permanent peace would mark a fundamental shift in their relationship.
However, substantial obstacles remain. Lebanon insists on a ceasefire before negotiations can begin, while Israel has made clear that military operations will continue “under fire.” Hezbollah, which is not a party to the talks but is the primary target of Israel’s demands, retains significant military capabilities and has shown no indication of disarming voluntarily.
The coming days will be critical. As Iranian President Pezeshkian warned, “hands remain on the trigger.” Whether the Washington talks can succeed where decades of conflict have failed remains to be seen. But for the first time in a generation, there is a diplomatic process—fragile, contested, and unfolding under fire—that offers a potential path away from war.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What did Prime Minister Netanyahu announce regarding Lebanon?
Netanyahu announced that Israel will open direct negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible,” focusing on two primary objectives: the disarmament of Hezbollah and the establishment of peaceful relations between the two countries .
2. Who will lead the Israeli delegation in these negotiations?
According to Israeli media, Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, will lead the negotiations on behalf of Israel .
3. Is there a ceasefire in place between Israel and Hezbollah?
No. Israeli officials have made clear that there is “no ceasefire in Lebanon” and that negotiations will take place without any prior halt to military operations. Netanyahu has stated that Israel will continue striking Hezbollah “wherever necessary” .
4. What is Lebanon’s position on these negotiations?
Lebanon has stated that it wants a ceasefire declared before starting any negotiations with Israel. President Joseph Aoun said that “the only solution to the current situation in Lebanon is to achieve a ceasefire” .
5. What recent events prompted this diplomatic initiative?
The announcement follows one of the deadliest waves of Israeli airstrikes since the conflict began, with over 254 people killed in a single day. It also follows a phone call from President Trump asking Netanyahu to scale back strikes to help ensure the success of US-Iran negotiations .
6. How has Hezbollah responded?
Hezbollah has continued its military operations, launching rocket barrages toward northern Israel and engaging in close-quarters combat against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. The group has accused Israel of violating the US-Iran truce .
7. How does this relate to the US-Iran ceasefire?
The US-Iran ceasefire has been a source of tension, with Iran and Pakistan maintaining that the truce includes Lebanon, while the United States and Israel have explicitly denied this. Netanyahu’s announcement comes as international pressure mounts to extend the ceasefire to Lebanon .
8. What has been the human toll of the conflict in Lebanon?
According to Lebanese health ministry figures, at least 1,739 people have been killed and more than 5,873 wounded since the conflict began on March 2. Over 254 people were killed on Wednesday alone .
9. What role has President Trump played in this development?
President Trump asked Netanyahu to scale back Israel’s strikes in Lebanon during a phone conversation on Wednesday, a request aimed at helping to ensure the success of upcoming US-Iran negotiations in Islamabad. Israel reportedly agreed to “check themselves a little bit in Lebanon” .
10. What is the status of the Strait of Hormuz?
The Strait of Hormuz remains largely restricted, with Iran imposing a limit of 15 ships per day requiring IRGC approval. Iran has also announced alternative routes for ships traveling through the strait, citing the risk of sea mines .
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