Israel-Lebanon negotiations are expected to take place in Washington next week at the US State Department, AP reported.
The report further added that talks will be handled by US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa on the American side and Israel’s Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter on the Israeli side. However, it wasn’t clear who will represent Lebanese side.
“In light of Lebanon’s repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed at the Government meeting yesterday to open direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible.
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— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 9, 2026
Israeli strikes on Lebanon killed over 300 people and wounded more than 1,100 on Wednesday, the Lebanese health ministry said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier said that he has given an instruction for Tel Aviv to begin peace talks with Lebanon, which will also include disarming the Iran-backed militia Hezbollah.
In a statement, Netanyahu said, “In light of Lebanon’s repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed the cabinet yesterday to start direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible.”
Smoke rises following several Israeli airstrikes in Beirut, Lebanon. (AP Photo)
The Israeli prime minister further added, “The negotiations will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon.”
The prospects of talks appear to bolster the ceasefire agreement signed between US-Israel and Iran which halted the hostilities in West Asia as the Israeli military’s bombing campaign of Beirut has jeopardised the truce.
Before Netanyahu’s statement, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said that “the only solution to the situation in Lebanon is to achieve a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, followed by direct negotiations between them.”
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Aoun added that he was working to ensure a diplomatic solution to the issue which has been seen as a “positive” step by international players, Reuters reported.
Netanyahu’s announcement of talks came amid disagreement with Iranian leaders whether the ceasefire deal included Lebanon, which effectively meant a halt in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
US and Iran are scheduled to attend peace talks in Islamabad on Saturday morning (local time) after President Donald Trump called Iran’s truce proposal “a workable basis on which to negotiate.”
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Smoke rises following several Israeli airstrikes in Beirut, Lebanon. (AP Photo)
