Prime Minister Netanyahu has authorized direct negotiations with Lebanon aimed at disarming Hezbollah and establishing peace, even as military operations continue and regional powers debate the impact on broader Iranian peace talks.
🚨 IT’S OFFICIAL: Israel PM Netanyahu is moving toward PEACE talks in Lebanon after Iran warned that the ceasefire could fall apart if they kept obliterating Hezbollah in Beirut
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 9, 2026
"I instructed the Cabinet yesterday to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon."
JD Vance, Steve… pic.twitter.com/sTTgAFHANI
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that Israel will enter direct negotiations with Lebanon to discuss a ceasefire and the disarmament of Hezbollah. The talks, which are expected to begin as early as next Tuesday, follow repeated requests from the Lebanese government and come amid an active warfront between the IDF and Hezbollah. The negotiations will be conducted in the United States between Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad, with U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa serving as mediator.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun confirmed the diplomatic push, noting that international actors are viewing the initiative positively. Sources indicate that Lebanon’s primary motivation is to halt further IDF incursions into its territory, while the Trump administration has reportedly pressured Beirut to demonstrate a serious commitment to disarming Hezbollah as a prerequisite for progress. Despite the upcoming talks, Israeli officials clarified that no ceasefire is currently in place and military operations on the ground will continue to address immediate threats.
The diplomatic movement coincides with broader regional tensions, including upcoming peace talks with Iran in Islamabad. While U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly asked Netanyahu to scale back strikes in Lebanon to facilitate these broader negotiations, Iran has warned that continued Israeli military activity could render the peace process “meaningless.” On the ground, the volatility remains high, evidenced by a fresh barrage of Hezbollah rockets launched just minutes after the Prime Minister’s announcement.