Lebanon and Israel hold first direct talks in 40 years as war fears rise

"Salam said these negotiations are aimed solely at the cessation of hostilities, the release of Lebanese hostages, and the complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory. Salam said Lebanon remained committed to the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative which offers a full normalisation of relations with Israel in return for its complete withdrawal from territory it occupied in 1967 and has no intention of concluding a separate peace deal with Israel."

"The participation of civilian envoys could help defuse tensions, he said, noting deadly Israeli air strikes recently are a clear sign of rising escalation. The committee convened for about three hours along the Blue Line the frontier between Lebanon and Israel. A statement issued afterwards welcomed the addition of civilian envoys as an important step toward anchoring the process in lasting civilian as well as military dialogue, and said the committee hoped to nurture peace along the long-volatile border."

"The United States has for months urged both sides to broaden the scope of the committee beyond just overseeing the 2024 ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The latest meeting comes during mounting fears of renewed escalation after Israeli air strikes hit Lebanon's capital last month. Israel has kept up regular air strikes in Lebanon, usually saying it is targeting Hezbollah members and facilities, and kept troops in five areas in the south despite the ceasefire's stipulation that it pull out entirely."

Civilian representatives from Lebanon and Israel met in Naqoura under the US-chaired ceasefire monitoring committee, marking the first direct talks between the two countries in over four decades. Lebanon signaled willingness to negotiate beyond security but clarified the talks are not peace negotiations and that formal normalisation remains tied to a broader peace process. The talks aim to secure a cessation of hostilities, release Lebanese hostages, and achieve complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory. Lebanon reaffirmed commitment to the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative and rejected a separate bilateral peace deal. The committee welcomed civilian envoys to anchor lasting civilian and military dialogue amid concerns about renewed Israeli air strikes and escalation.

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