According to media reports Israel-Lebanon talks to start next week
According to Israeli media, the direct negotiations with Lebanon announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are to begin as early as next week. As the Israeli news website "ynet" reported, citing a person familiar with the matter, the talks are to take place in Washington. According to the report, the US ambassadors of the two hostile countries are to take part first.
09.04.2026, 21:06
10.04.2026, 07:58
SDA
The Israeli newspaper "Maariv" also reported that the talks are to begin next week. The Israeli broadcaster N12 reported that negotiations are "expected to begin early next week". A spokesperson for Netanyahu initially refused to confirm the timing when asked.
In a statement issued by Netanyahu's office on Thursday evening, it was reported that the head of government had instructed the cabinet to begin talks "as soon as possible" following repeated requests from the neighboring country. The negotiations are to focus on the disarmament of Hezbollah and the establishment of peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon.
Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun has already signaled his willingness to negotiate with Israel several times in the past.
Ceasefire demands from Lebanon ahead of talks
According to Lebanese government circles, possible negotiations should only take place under the conditions of a ceasefire. A "Pakistan model" is being proposed, based on a similar approach in the negotiations between Iran and the USA. This envisages a two-week ceasefire, with talks to begin 72 hours after it comes into force.
According to the information provided, the Lebanese delegation will be led by the former ambassador to the USA, Simon Karam. It would also include other members appointed under the president's constitutional powers, including a Shiite representative. The Lebanese government is not an active warring party in the current war. The Shiite Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran, is currently firing at the Israeli military. Shiite representation is therefore important for the success of negotiations.
More than 300 dead in one day
After the war with Iran began more than five weeks ago, the Shiite militia also resumed its attacks on Israel. For the first time since a ceasefire began in November 2024, it attacked Israel again with rockets. Israel responded with heavy airstrikes and ground operations in the northern neighboring country. Before the ceasefire, there had been a year-long war.
On Wednesday, Israel continued its attacks despite the ceasefire in the Iran war and, according to its own statements, bombed numerous Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including in the capital Beirut. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, more than 300 people were killed.
The US broadcaster NBC News reported, citing a high-ranking representative of the US government, that President Donald Trump had called on Netanyahu in a telephone call on Wednesday to scale back the Israeli attacks in Lebanon. The "Axios" portal reported, citing US officials, that US special envoy Steve Witkoff had made a similar request in a conversation with Israel's head of government.
Criticism from Hezbollah
Lebanese Hezbollah MP Ali Fajad called on the government to insist on a ceasefire as a prerequisite for further steps. Only after such a step should subsequent measures be considered.
Hezbollah leader Naim Kassim had recently said that talks under constant fire would be tantamount to capitulation and would deprive Lebanon of its ability to act. Negotiations should be rejected in principle as long as the enemy continues to occupy territories and continue daily attacks.
