Israeli and Lebanese representatives met Tuesday in Washington for the first open diplomatic talks between the two countries in more than 40 years, in a U.S.-brokered effort aimed at exploring a potential agreement.
The meeting took place at the U.S. State Department and brought together Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanon’s ambassador, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, alongside U.S. officials.
Hezbollah has rejected the talks, with its leader Naim Qassem saying the group opposes negotiations with Israel and warning that it remains prepared for escalation. He said Hezbollah had “prepared itself” and threatened that it could “kidnap enemy soldiers” if fighting continues.
Israel has maintained that it is effectively conducting two parallel tracks: engaging in diplomacy with Lebanon while continuing military operations against Hezbollah, which it considers an Iranian-backed proxy. Israeli officials have expressed skepticism about Lebanon’s ability or willingness to disarm Hezbollah.
Despite the tensions, some Israeli officials believe the talks could help strengthen moderate voices in Lebanon that favor de-escalation and a possible future agreement with Israel.
A joint statement by participants is expected following the meeting, though no additional rounds of talks have been scheduled.