Lebanon and Israel agree to continue talks after a “productive” meeting in Washington

The governments of Lebanon and Israel agreed this Tuesday to continue with talks to end the clashes between the Israeli Army and the Shiite militia party Hezbollah, reactivated since last March 2, in a meeting that both delegations held under the auspices of the United States.

This is stated in a joint statement released by the State Department, which highlighted that “productive” conversations have been held on the steps to follow to begin direct negotiations” between the two countries.

“This meeting was the first important high-level meeting between the Governments of Israel and Lebanon since 1993,” reads the note regarding the meeting, in which, in addition to the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, the ambassadors of Israel and Lebanon in Washington, Yechiel Leiter and Nada Hamadeh Moawad, respectively, participated.

The United States has congratulated both parties for a day that it described as a “historic milestone” and has expressed its “hope” that the next talks “can go beyond the scope of the 2024 agreement”, in reference to the ceasefire agreed in November of that year, and lead to a “comprehensive peace agreement.”

Likewise, Donald Trump’s Administration has expressed its support for the continuity of these contacts, as well as for the plans announced by Beirut to “reestablish the monopoly of force”, in reference to the disarmament of Hezbollah, and, as indicated by the ministry, to “end Iran’s dominant influence” in Lebanon.

Along these lines, he has once again reiterated “Israel’s right to defend itself from the continuous attacks” of the Shiite group. “Any agreement to cease hostilities must be reached between the two governments, with the mediation of the United States, and not through any parallel means,” he maintained, before pointing out that “these negotiations have the potential to unlock important aid for the reconstruction and economic recovery of Lebanon, as well as expanding investment opportunities for both countries.”

For its part, the Israeli delegation has reiterated “its support for the disarmament of all non-state terrorist groups and the dismantling of all terrorist infrastructure” in the neighboring country and has expressed its willingness to “collaborate” with the Lebanese Executive to do so. “Israel has expressed its commitment to engage in direct negotiations to resolve all outstanding issues and achieve a lasting peace that strengthens security, stability and prosperity in the region,” the joint note added.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese negotiating team has reaffirmed the “urgent need” for Israel to “fully” respect the ceasefire reached in November 2024 and cease its attacks against Lebanon, referring to the “principles of territorial integrity and full state sovereignty.”

Beirut has also called for a truce and “concrete measures to address and alleviate the serious humanitarian crisis” that the country is suffering as a result of the ongoing conflict, unleashed as a result of the offensive launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28.

Lebanon had on several occasions demanded that Israel open bilateral negotiations, something only accepted last Thursday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who ordered direct negotiations with Lebanon to establish “peaceful relations” and work together to “dismantle” Hezbollah.

The disarmament of the militia group has also been demanded by the Lebanese authorities, given the Shiite group’s refusal to take that step if Israel does not first put an end to its invasion of the country. The conflict in Iran has spread to Lebanon after Hezbollah launched rockets against the Israeli Army, which has responded by intensifying its attacks and with a ground advance into Lebanese territory, in what it justifies as an operation to achieve a demilitarized zone that improves its security.

The Lebanese authorities have raised the death toll to almost 2,090 and more than 6,700 injured due to attacks carried out by Israel since March 2, including more than 300 dead and 1,100 injured last Wednesday in the largest wave of Israeli attacks against the neighboring country in a single day.