Lebanon And Israel Hold First Direct Diplomatic Talks In Decades In Washington

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lebanon and Israel held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades in Washington on Tuesday, following more than a month of talks. War between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it a “historic opportunity” but making clear no major deal is expected immediately.

Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter welcomed what he called consensus on removing Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon, saying he was encouraged by a “wonderful exchange” that lasted more than two hours.

“The Lebanese government has made it clear that it will no longer be occupied by Hezbollah,” he said. “Iran is weakened. Hezbollah is significantly weakened. This is an opportunity.”

Hezbollah opposed direct talks and was not represented. Increase fire on northern Israel just as they started. Following the discussions, no statement was made by Lebanon, represented by Washington Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad.

Despite Hezbollah’s outright denial, the talks are a major step for the two countries, which have been officially at war since Israel’s founding in 1948 and have no diplomatic relations. last round of the fight The attack was sparked by Hezbollah firing rockets into northern Israel on March 2. USA and Israel attacked IranHezbollah’s key ally and patron.

While Rubio said the Trump administration was “very happy” to facilitate negotiations, he noted that “we understand that we are working against decades of history and complexities” that cannot be resolved quickly.

“But we can start moving forward with a framework in which something very positive, something very lasting can happen so that the Lebanese people can have the future they deserve and the Israeli people can live without fear,” Rubio said.

The Lebanese government hopes the talks will pave the way for an end to the war. While Iran requires an end to the wars in Lebanon and the region as a condition for negotiations with the United States, Lebanon insists on representing itself.

Hezbollah and other critics argue that the Lebanese government lacks influence and should instead support Iran’s position. Wafiq Safa, a senior member of the militant group’s political council. he told the Associated Press He said he would not abide by any agreements made during the talks.

On the day of the talks, gunfire in Israeli communities near the Lebanese border triggered incessant drone and rocket warning sirens. Hezbollah has launched 24 attacks on Israeli troops in northern Israel and southern Lebanon so far on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Health said that at least 2,124 people, including hundreds of women and children, died in Israel’s attacks on Lebanon. more than that 1 million people were displaced. The deadliest day of the war occurred last week when Israel launched 100 missiles. Air strikes across Lebanon More than 350 people were killed in 10 minutes, including in the heart of the capital.

The Israeli army has invaded southern Lebanon in a move that some Israeli officials say is aimed at creating a “security zone” from the border to the Litani River, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north.

Hundreds of thousands of people expelled from southern Lebanon will not be allowed to return to their homes until the region is demilitarized and Israel believes communities in the north are safe, Israel’s defense minister said. Although Hezbollah has been weakened in its last war with Israel, which ended in November 2024, it still fires drones, rockets and artillery daily against Israel’s north and ground troops in Lebanon.

Hezbollah has extensive influence in Beirut’s southern suburbs, as well as large areas of the country’s southern and eastern provinces. While Hezbollah-allied politicians hold two cabinet minister positions, the group’s relations have soured with Lebanon’s top political authorities, who criticized Hezbollah’s decision to enter the war last month and have since criminalized the group’s military activities in the country.

The talks were the first between Israel and Lebanon since 1993. Both countries rely mostly on indirect communication mediated by the United States or UNIFIL, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon.

Lebanon’s top political authorities, who criticized Hezbollah’s decision to fire rockets at Israel on March 2 in solidarity with Iran, immediately offered direct talks to stop the tension, hoping that Israel would not launch a land invasion.

Israel did not respond positively until last week, after its deadly bombardment, which hit several crowded commercial and residential areas in Beirut, sparked an international outcry and triggered threats from Iran that it would end the ceasefire with the United States and Israel.

While Lebanese officials pushed for a ceasefire, Israel rejected it. However, Israel stopped attacks on the Lebanese capital after the bombardment.

“Israel’s destruction of Lebanese territory is not the solution and will not produce any results,” Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Monday. He came to power promising to disarm non-state groups, including Hezbollah. “Diplomatic solutions have consistently proven to be the most effective way to resolve armed conflicts globally.”

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar denied Tuesday that he had disagreements with Lebanon and said “Hezbollah is the problem.”

Hezbollah wants to return to the 2024 agreement, where negotiations are carried out indirectly with the USA, France and UNIFIL as mediators.

Chehayeb reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Farnush Amiri at the United Nations and Toqa Ezzidin in Cairo contributed to this report.