The first round of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon will be held next week at the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., according to sources quoted by China Central Television (CCTV) News. The Israeli side will be represented by its ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, while Lebanon will be represented by its ambassador to the U.S., Nada Hammad Moawad. The U.S. delegation will be led by the American Ambassador to Lebanon, Michelle Issa.
On the 7th, the United States and Israel each agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, but subsequently stated that the ceasefire did not cover Lebanon. On the 8th, Israel launched large-scale airstrikes on multiple locations in Lebanon, causing thousands of casualties and drawing strong international condemnation, with calls for a ceasefire to be implemented in Lebanon as well. Iran stated that it would not negotiate with the United States if the ceasefire did not include Lebanon.
Netanyahu Says Israel Will Not Stop Fighting in Lebanon
On the evening of April 9 local time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel will not cease its operations in Lebanon until the security of residents in the north is restored and Hezbollah is disarmed. Netanyahu stated that he has ordered direct negotiations with Lebanon aimed at disarming Hezbollah and promoting a historic and sustainable peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
Netanyahu also said that Israel's actions against Iran and the "Axis of Resistance" have achieved major successes, bringing about a historic shift in Israel's position in the Middle East. Israel is stronger than ever, he said, while Iran is weaker than ever. Netanyahu added that Israel has already reached four peace agreements with Arab countries and intends to pursue genuine peace from a position of strength.
Hezbollah Opposes Direct Talks with Israel
On the 9th, Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Fayyad called on the Lebanese government to make Israel's adherence to a ceasefire a precondition for any subsequent action, and stressed that Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc opposes direct negotiations with Israel.
Fayyad, a member of the Hezbollah-affiliated "Loyalty to the Resistance" bloc, reiterated in a statement that the bloc opposes "any direct negotiations between Lebanon and the Israeli enemy," stressing that Israel must withdraw its forces, cease hostilities, and ensure the return of displaced Lebanese civilians to their homes.
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