Lebanon and Israel Agree to Direct Peace Talks in Washington

Washington Hosts Lebanon-Israel Talks to End Ongoing Conflict

Washington: Lebanon and Israel have agreed to initiate direct negotiations following talks held in Washington, in a step aimed at securing a ceasefire and reducing ongoing military escalation since early March 2026.

Nada Hamadeh Moawad, Lebanon’s Ambassador to the United States, described the preliminary meeting as constructive, noting that it reflected a positive start toward dialogue between the two sides.

The US State Department stated that the trilateral meeting included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Counselor Michael Needham, US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, Israel’s Ambassador to Washington, and Ambassador Moawad. It added that the meeting marked the first high-level engagement of its kind between Lebanon and Israel in decades, with discussions focusing on advancing direct negotiations.

Washington expressed hope that the talks would move beyond previous frameworks and contribute to reaching a comprehensive agreement, emphasizing that any resolution to end hostilities must be achieved directly by the two parties.

The US also indicated that progress in negotiations could pave the way for reconstruction support and economic recovery in Lebanon, alongside broader investment prospects for both sides. The parties agreed to proceed with direct talks at a mutually agreed time and venue.

Lebanon stressed the importance of implementing the November 2024 cessation of hostilities declaration, underscoring the need to preserve territorial integrity and national sovereignty, while calling for immediate steps to address the humanitarian situation resulting from the conflict.

The diplomatic efforts come amid continued military developments on the ground. Lebanese sources reported casualties following air strikes in southern areas, while the Israeli military said it had detected rocket fire originating from Lebanon toward northern Israel.