Lebanon and Israel conduct first direct talks in decades: source confirms to AFP

Lebanese and Israeli civilian delegates met for direct talks on Wednesday for the first time in decades, as part of a year-long ceasefire monitoring initiative related to the conflict with Hezbollah, according to a source familiar with the discussions.

The meeting took place at the United Nations peacekeeping force headquarters in Naqura, Lebanon, near the border with Israel. This gathering is part of a framework established to monitor the ceasefire that began in November 2024.

Morgan Ortagus, the US special envoy for Lebanon, was also present at the meeting. The United States has been urging Lebanon to take swift action to disarm Hezbollah.

Ortagus had previously visited Jerusalem, where she met with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and reportedly also with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Until now, Israel and Lebanon, which lack formal diplomatic ties, had relied on military officials for interactions. The United States has encouraged direct civilian dialogue to stabilize the region and reduce the influence of Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Netanyahu's office confirmed that a civilian representative was sent to meet Lebanese officials, describing the initiative as an initial effort to lay the groundwork for bilateral relations.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's office stated that former ambassador Simon Karam would lead the Lebanese delegation and that Israel had included a non-military member in its team. Lebanon has expressed readiness to engage in negotiations with its southern neighbor.

Netanyahu has repeatedly suggested that Lebanon could follow the path of the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab and Muslim countries.

Direct talks between the two nations last occurred in 1983, after Israels invasion of Lebanon, leading to an agreement that was never ratified.

Netanyahu instructed the acting director of the National Security Council to send a representative to meet Lebanese government and economic officials, framing it as an effort to establish a foundation for cooperation.

The dialogue comes shortly after the first anniversary of a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which ended over a year of hostilities following attacks by Hezbollah in support of Hamas.

Despite the truce, Israel has carried out strikes in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, citing efforts to prevent the group from rearming. Under Lebanese government plans, the army is set to dismantle Hezbollahs southern military infrastructure by year-end.

Israel, judging these measures insufficient, has increased its military actions in recent weeks. Israeli media reports that preparations for a major escalation with Hezbollah are considered "inevitable," despite US diplomatic efforts.

On the ceasefire anniversary, the Israeli military reported conducting roughly 1,200 operations and neutralizing more than 370 individuals affiliated with Hezbollah, Hamas, and other groups.

Following her meeting with Ortagus, Foreign Minister Saar stated that Hezbollahs disarmament is essential for Lebanons stability and Israels security, emphasizing that the group is the primary violator of Lebanese sovereignty.

Author: Chloe Ramirez