Israel-Lebanon Peace Talks Likely Next Week In Washington, Hezbollah Rejects Proposal

Last Updated:April 09, 2026, 23:47 IST

As per the report, the negotiations are expected to take place at the US State Department.

Israel-Lebanon conflict: Peace talks between Israel and Lebanon are likely to begin next week in Washington, news agency AP reported. However, Hezbollah has firmly rejected any proposal for direct negotiations.

As per the report, the negotiations are expected to take place at the US State Department, with discussions handled on the American side by US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa and on the Israeli side by Israel’s Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter. However, it wasn’t clear who will represent Lebanon.

The planned diplomatic push comes against the backdrop of escalating violence. Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli strikes killed more than 300 people and wounded over 1,100 in a single day this week. Israel said it had killed Ali Yusuf Harshi, described as a relative and aide to Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem, in an overnight strike in Beirut.

However, Hezbollah has pushed back strongly. A Hezbollah lawmaker on Thursday dismissed any possibility of direct talks with Israel.

“We reiterate our rejection of any direct negotiations between Lebanon and the Israeli enemy, and the necessity of upholding national principles, foremost among them the Israeli withdrawal, the cessation of hostilities, and the return of residents to their villages and towns," Ali Fayyad said in a statement shared by the Iran-backed group’s media channels.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had instructed his cabinet to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible," citing repeated requests from Beirut.

“In light of Lebanon’s repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed the cabinet yesterday to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible," his office wrote in a statement.

He also added that the negotiations will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peace relations between Israel and Lebanon.

Earlier, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed support for people in Lebanon, saying that Iran has “fingers on the trigger" as Israel continues to attack Lebanon.

“Israel’s renewed incursion into Lebanon is a blatant violation of the initial ceasefire agreement. The continuation of these actions will render negotiations meaningless. Our fingers remain on the trigger. Iran will never abandon its Lebanese sisters and brothers," he said in a post on X.

News world Israel-Lebanon Peace Talks Likely Next Week In Washington, Hezbollah Rejects Proposal

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