JUST IN: US, Israel, and Lebanon Discuss Preparations for Direct Negotiations as Diplomatic Track Takes Shape
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Diplomacy & Conflict
As the fragile two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran enters a critical phase, diplomatic efforts to address the parallel conflict between Israel and Hezbollah are rapidly taking shape. The United States, Israel, and Lebanon are actively discussing preparations for direct negotiations, marking a potentially historic shift in the long-standing敌对关系 between the two neighboring states .
According to a U.S. State Department official, the department will host a meeting next week in Washington to discuss ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Israel and Lebanon . This development follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement that he has authorized direct negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible” .
The Washington Talks: Preparatory, Not Yet Negotiations
While the talks represent a significant diplomatic opening, Lebanese officials have been careful to manage expectations regarding their scope and purpose.
A senior Lebanese source told Anadolu Ajansı that “the meeting at the US State Department next week is preparatory, not a negotiation” . The source emphasized that the first meeting of Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors in Washington will be preliminary in nature, with the Lebanese side insisting that negotiations should begin only after all military actions on Lebanese territory have ceased .
The Lebanese delegation will be headed by Ambassador to the United States Nada Hamadeh-Mouawad and will include Simon Karam, the former head of the negotiating team that engaged the Israeli side in Ras al-Naqoura in 2025 . The Israeli delegation will be led by Ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter . The United States will be represented by Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa .
| Delegation | Lead Representative |
|---|---|
| United States | Ambassador Michel Issa |
| Israel | Ambassador Yechiel Leiter |
| Lebanon | Ambassador Nada Hamadeh-Mouawad |
Source: U.S. State Department officials, multiple news reports
Lebanon’s Conditions: Ceasefire First
A fundamental divergence in positions is already apparent as the two sides prepare for the Washington meeting. Lebanon insists that a ceasefire must be declared before any substantive negotiations can begin .
An Arab diplomatic source in Beirut told TASS that “the Lebanese side insists that negotiations should begin only after all military actions on the country’s territory have ceased” . A Lebanese government official confirmed to AFP that Beirut requires a truce before starting any negotiations with Israel .
This position reflects the severe toll the conflict has taken on Lebanon. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, Israeli strikes have killed 1,888 people and wounded 6,092 since the conflict began on March 2 . More than 300 people were killed in a single 24-hour period this week alone, in what has been described as the deadliest day in Lebanon since the war began .
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts, contacting international partners including Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to seek support for halting Israeli attacks . The Lebanese government has also announced plans to file an urgent complaint with the UN Security Council regarding what it calls a “blatant violation” of international and humanitarian law .
Israel’s Position: Disarming Hezbollah as Core Objective
Prime Minister Netanyahu has been explicit about Israel’s objectives for any negotiations with Lebanon. In a statement from his office, Netanyahu said that the negotiations would focus on “disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon” .
The prime minister also indicated that Israel “appreciates the call made by the Prime Minister of Lebanon to demilitarize Beirut,” referring to a recent statement from Salam directing security forces to restrict weapons in the capital exclusively to state institutions .
However, Netanyahu has made clear that there is currently “no ceasefire in Lebanon” and that military operations will continue alongside diplomatic efforts . In a video message to northern residents, Netanyahu emphasized that the IDF would continue its operations even as negotiations proceed .
The Israeli military has significantly expanded its ground operations in southern Lebanon, with five divisions now operating simultaneously — the 162nd, 36th, 91st, 98th, and 146th divisions . IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has described the fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon as the military’s “primary combat zone” .
The US Role: Balancing Mediation and Pressure
The United States is positioning itself as a mediator while simultaneously applying pressure on both sides to de-escalate. President Trump has reportedly asked Netanyahu to dial back strikes in Lebanon to avoid jeopardizing the broader ceasefire with Iran .
At the same time, U.S. officials have signaled that they are taking a pragmatic approach to the Lebanon track. Vice President JD Vance, who is leading the US delegation to the Islamabad talks with Iran, has described the dispute over whether the ceasefire includes Lebanon as a “legitimate misunderstanding” .
The US-hosted talks in Washington represent a significant diplomatic investment. According to a person familiar with the planning, the meeting at the State Department will bring together the US ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, and the Israeli ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter .
The Ceasefire Dispute: A Persistent Obstacle
The planning for Israel-Lebanon negotiations is occurring against the backdrop of a persistent dispute over whether the two-week US-Iran ceasefire applies to Lebanon.
- Iran and Pakistan maintain that the ceasefire includes Lebanon, with Iranian officials stating that “Lebanon and the entire Resistance Axis form an inseparable part of the ceasefire” .
- The United States and Israel have explicitly denied this interpretation, with President Trump stating that Lebanon was “not included” in the agreement and describing the war there as “a separate skirmish” .
Hezbollah has aligned itself with Iran’s position. Hezbollah lawmaker Ibrahim Al-Moussawi stated that “the agreement includes Lebanon,” warning of a response from Iran and its allies if Israel did not comply . However, Hezbollah has also expressed “rejection of any direct negotiations between Lebanon” and Israel .
International Reactions and Pressure
The international community has been vocal in its support for extending the ceasefire to Lebanon and for the success of the diplomatic track.
United Kingdom: Prime Minister Keir Starmer told ITV News that Israel’s insistence that Lebanon is not covered by the ceasefire is “wrong” .
European Union: Brussels has demanded that the US-Iran ceasefire be extended to Lebanon, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas describing the ceasefire as “fragile” and continued Israeli strikes as “totally unnecessary” .
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” .
France, Russia, Turkey: These nations have also joined calls for the ceasefire to be extended to Lebanon .
What Comes Next
The diplomatic calendar for the coming days is packed with high-stakes meetings:
Islamabad Talks (Saturday): US and Iranian delegations are scheduled to meet in Pakistan’s capital for direct negotiations aimed at transforming the temporary ceasefire into a permanent agreement. The US delegation is led by Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. The Iranian delegation is expected to be led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi .
Washington Talks (Next Week): Preparatory meetings between Israel and Lebanon at the U.S. State Department, focused on establishing a framework for potential future negotiations. The talks are expected to be preliminary in nature, with Lebanon insisting on a ceasefire before substantive discussions .
Ongoing Military Operations: Despite diplomatic efforts, the IDF continues its campaign against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, and Hezbollah continues rocket and missile attacks on northern Israel. The trajectory of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict remains highly uncertain .
A Historic Opening
The discussions between the US, Israel, and Lebanon regarding direct negotiations represent a potentially historic opening. Israel and Lebanon have technically been at war since Israel was established in 1948 . Previous attempts at direct talks have been rare and have failed to produce lasting results.
The current moment, however, is unique. The Lebanese government has broken a long-standing taboo by expressing willingness to engage directly with Israel . President Joseph Aoun has proposed direct talks and has even, in some private meetings, indicated readiness to move toward normalizing ties .
Yet significant 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.
As the Washington talks approach, the question is whether this preparatory meeting can bridge the gap between the two sides — or whether the diplomatic track will be overtaken by the ongoing violence on the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the US, Israel, and Lebanon discussing?
The three countries are discussing preparations for direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. A preparatory meeting is expected to take place next week at the U.S. State Department in Washington .
2. When will the Israel-Lebanon talks take place?
A preparatory meeting is scheduled for next week at the State Department in Washington. The meeting is described by Lebanese sources as “preparatory, not a negotiation,” with the Lebanese side insisting on a ceasefire before substantive talks begin .
3. Who will represent each side at the Washington talks?
The United States will be represented by Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa. Israel will be represented by Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter. Lebanon will be represented by Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh-Mouawad .
4. What does Israel want from negotiations with Lebanon?
Prime Minister Netanyahu has stated that negotiations will focus on two core objectives: the disarmament of Hezbollah and the establishment of peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon .
5. What does Lebanon want before negotiations begin?
Lebanon insists that a ceasefire must be declared before any substantive negotiations can begin. A senior Lebanese source told TASS that “the Lebanese side insists that negotiations should begin only after all military actions on the country’s territory have ceased” .
6. Does the US-Iran ceasefire apply to Lebanon?
This remains a major point of dispute. Iran and Pakistan maintain that the ceasefire includes Lebanon, while the United States and Israel have explicitly denied this interpretation .
7. How has Hezbollah responded to the prospect of Israel-Lebanon talks?
Hezbollah has expressed “rejection of any direct negotiations between Lebanon” and Israel. A Hezbollah lawmaker reiterated the group’s opposition to direct talks, though the Lebanese government has proceeded with diplomatic efforts despite this opposition .
8. What has been the human toll of the conflict in Lebanon?
According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, Israeli strikes have killed 1,888 people and wounded 6,092 since the conflict began on March 2. Over 300 people were killed in a single 24-hour period this week .
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